A Singaporean man extradited from Thailand to face a capital drug trafficking charge is set to be released from remand, following the prosecution’s application for a discharge not amounting to acquittal on 8 September, 2025.
Benny Kee Soon Chuan, 32, had been held in remand for more than 11 months after his arrest in Thailand and subsequent deportation to Singapore in September 2024.
The discharge not amounting to acquittal means the charge against Kee has been withdrawn for now, but can be revived if new evidence comes to light. The move was confirmed in court proceedings on Monday.
Kee was originally charged in 2024 with conspiring with Low En Quan Justin to traffic methamphetamine in early December 2020, during a period when he was not in Singapore.
The alleged conspiracy centred around a parcel containing at least 2kg of methamphetamine intended for delivery to a man named “Senthil Kumar” at a shop in Orchard Towers.
According to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Kee had allegedly directed Low to collect the parcel, which was picked up on 2 December 2020.
Low faced a capital charge initially but later pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempting to traffic 249.99g of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane.
In a statement to CNA, Kee’s lawyer, Ramesh Tiwary, said his client “is innocent” and “very grateful to be reunited with his family”. Kee is expected to be released on the same day of the court’s decision.
The prosecution has not provided a public explanation for why the charge was withdrawn at this time. CNA has reached out to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for clarification.
Kee’s case has drawn attention due to his status as a fugitive for several years. Immigration records indicate he had been out of Singapore since 11 April 2016.
He was wanted in connection with two drug trafficking cases, one in December 2020 and another in November 2022.
After years at large, Kee was arrested on 17 September 2024 by Thai authorities in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, following a tip-off from the CNB. He was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and charged the following day.
According to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Kee had been running a transnational drug trafficking operation from Thailand.
He was described as a high-level trafficker dealing in crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy destined for markets in Australia and Singapore.
Kee had reportedly entered Thailand using a Vanuatu passport.
Thai authorities cancelled his visa following his arrest and seized assets valued at 15 million baht (approximately S$585,000), which included luxury watches, gold, and a high-end vehicle.
Local media reported that Kee had been “living in luxury” despite having no declared occupation.
Kee is also believed to have connections to a broader Singaporean drug trafficking network operating between Thailand and the region.
In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted drug parcels bound for Singapore and Australia. Two Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time, were later convicted in Singapore for their involvement. Authorities linked those operations to Kee’s trafficking network.
Under Singaporean law, trafficking more than 250g of methamphetamine carries a mandatory death penalty.
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