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S'porean alleged drug trafficker who had charges suspended arrested under law allowing detention without trial
Kee, who had faced a potential death penalty, was previously granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal.
September 26, 2025, 01:28 PM
A Singaporean who had his drug trafficking charges temporarily suspended was arrested under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.
This act allows for detention without trial.
Benny Kee Soon Chuan, 32, was first arrested in Thailand and deported back in September 2024, after the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) suspected that he was involved in two separate drug trafficking cases in 2020 and 2022.
Kee was subsequently charged in court for the offence of engaging in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine in Singapore, which meant a death sentence if found guilty.
On Sep. 8, 2025, he was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
After the prosecutors applied for the discharge, Kee's lawyer said he expected Kee to be released from remand.
However, on the same day, Kee was arrested under the CLTPA, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Sep. 26.
The arrest
MHA issued the detention order under CLTPA against Kee on Sep. 22.
"Investigations revealed that from at least late-2020, Kee was involved in a drug trafficking syndicate in Thailand, and was instrumental in the supply and distribution of drugs in Singapore," MHA said.
"He would receive orders via Telegram, collate these orders, and then arrange for the drugs to be exported to Singapore, where it would be received and distributed by his associates."
The two Singaporeans he allegedly supplied drugs to for trafficking and sale were previously convicted.
One, aged 21 at the time, was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison with 15 strokes of the cane, while the other, aged 29 at the time, was sentenced to eight years in prison with seven strokes of the cane.
Drug offences are typically prosecuted under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The CLTPA, enacted in 1955, was last extended in 2024 for a further five years.
Under the CLTPA, a person issued with a detention order may be detained for up to 12 months from the date of the order.
MHA explained that the CLTPA is invoked only as a last resort when prosecution is not viable, such as when witnesses are unwilling to testify in court due to fear of reprisal against them or their family members, which is the situation in Kee's case.
"Traffickers should not believe that they can get away just by being out of Singapore, or by intimidating witnesses," MHA said.
Top images from CNB and MHA's website
