Six Individuals Charged For Alleged Offences Relating To Misappropriation and Dishonest Receipt of Prohibited Tobacco Products and Contraband Cigarettes

On 21 October 2022, six individuals were charged in Court for allegedly committing criminal breach of trust, dishonestly receiving stolen property and forging documents.

2. Their alleged offences were as follows:

a) Chew Soon Loong (“Chew”) (周顺龙，33-year-old male Malaysian National), an officer from Certis Cisco Auxiliary Police Force Pte Ltd at the material time.

i. Between October 2021 and January 2022, in Singapore, Chew allegedly committed criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating prohibited tobacco products amounting to S$227. He did so in his capacity as a public servant who was authorised under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 to carry out enforcement duties for the Health Sciences Authority. For that, Chew faces one charge for an offence punishable under Section 409 of the Penal Code 1871, which is an amalgamated charge under Section 124(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.

b) Mohan Raj Akilan (“Mohan”) (31-year-old male Malaysian National)

i. Between June and July 2021, in Singapore, Mohan was alleged to have dishonestly received prohibited tobacco products amounting to S$1,417, that he knew were stolen properties. The said tobacco products were alleged to have been dishonestly misappropriated by a public servant. For that, Mohan faces one charge for an offence punishable under Section 411(1) of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed), which is an amalgamated charge under Section 124(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68, 2012 Rev Ed). Mohan faces two additional charges for offences under Section 16(2A)(a) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (Cap 309, 2011 Rev Ed) for the possession of e-vaporiser and e-vaporiser pods.

c) Steven Nick Gabriel (“Steven”) (29-year-old male Malaysian National)

i. Between October and November 2021, in Singapore, Steven was alleged to have dishonestly received prohibited tobacco products amounting to S$220, which he knew were stolen properties. The said tobacco products were alleged to have been dishonestly misappropriated by a public servant. For that, Steven faces one charge for an offence punishable under Section 411(1) of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed), which is an amalgamated charge under Section 124(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68, 2012 Rev Ed). Steven faces two additional charges for offences under Section 16(2A)(a) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (Cap 309, 2011 Rev Ed) for the possession of e-vaporiser and e-vaporiser pods.

d) Vijeyen Sargaren (“Vijeyen”) (30-year-old male Malaysian National)

i. Between January and April 2022, in Singapore, Vijeyen was alleged to have dishonestly received contraband cigarettes amounting to S$5 which he knew were stolen properties. The said contraband cigarettes were alleged to have been dishonestly misappropriated by a public servant. For that, Vijeyen faces one charge for an offence punishable under Section 411(1) of the Penal Code 1871, which is an amalgamated charge under Section 124(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.

e) Chong Wan Siong (“Chong”) (张万祥，43-year-old male Malaysian National)

i. Between May and July 2022, in Singapore, Chong was alleged to have dishonestly received from two persons contraband cigarettes amounting to S$7.50 which he knew were stolen properties. These properties were alleged to have been dishonestly misappropriated by a public servant. For that, Chong faces two charges for offences punishable under Section 411(1) of the Penal Code 1871, of which one is an amalgamated charge under Section 124(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.

f) Mohamad Nor Amali Bin Halmi (“Amali”) (35-year-old male Malaysian National), Assistant Enforcement Supervisor of People Advantage Pte Ltd (a subsidiary under Certis group) at the material time.

i. On or about 17 March 2022, Amali allegedly forged two Offence Reporting Forms issued against two individuals for possession of prohibited tobacco products, by fraudulently signing the said forms in their names. For that, Amali faces two charges for offences punishable under Section 465 of the Penal Code 1871.

3. Any person who is convicted of an offence under Section 409 of the Penal Code shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine. Any person who is convicted of an offence under Section 411 of the Penal Code shall be sentenced to an imprisonment of up to five years, or a fine, or to both. Any person who is convicted of an offence under Section 465 of the Penal Code shall be sentenced to an imprisonment of up to four years, or a fine, or to both.

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau