Misuse of Drugs Act (Singapore)

IMPORTANT NOTICE For Singapore drug controlled

The Misuse of Drugs Act is a drug control law in Singapore classifying substances into three categories, Classes A, B, and C. Section 44 provides that "The Minister may, by an order published in the Gazette" add, remove, or transfer drugs among the classes.

The law creates a presumption of trafficking for certain threshold amounts, e.g. 30 grams of cannabis. It also creates a presumption that a person possesses drugs if he possesses the keys to a premises containing the drugs, and that "Any person found in or escaping from any place or premises which is proved or presumed to be used for the purpose of smoking or administering a controlled drug shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have been smoking or administering a controlled drug in that place or premises." Thus, one runs the risk of arrest for drug use by simply being in the company of drug users. The law also allows officers to search premises and individuals, without a search warrant, if he "reasonably suspects that there is to be found a controlled drug or article liable to seizure"

Moreover, Section 31 allows officers to demand urinalysis of suspected drug offenders while section 8A prohibits any citizen or permanent resident of Singapore to use any prohibited drug outside of the country, and if found guilty to be punished as if they committed that act within the country.

• 1. The unauthorised consumption, possession, import, export and/or trafficking of any controlled drug is an offence under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act. Under the Act, drug trafficking is punishable by death.
• 2. Providing false or misleading health and travel declarations is an offence under Section 64(b) of Singapore's Infectious Diseases Act. The penalty for providing false or misleading information is a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months. For subsequent offence(s), the penalty is a fine up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
• 3. Under the prevailing entry requirements, you will be issued with a Stay-Home Notice (SHN). A copy of the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and its requirements is enclosed for reference. Failure to comply with the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) may constitute an offence under Section 21A or Section 55(1)(f) of the Infectious Diseases Act, punishable with a fine not exceeding S$10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months. For subsequent offence(s) the penalty is a fine up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
• 4. Under Singapore laws, you are required to make a report using Form NP 727/A/B/C if the total value of currency and/or bearer negotiable instruments you are carrying exceeds SGD 20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency).
• 5. If you are bringing in any item, or carrying an item for someone, but you do not know what it contains, you must declare the item at the Red Channel.
• 6. You will also require the DE number should you wish to apply for immigration facilities while you are in Singapore.
• You can refer to the ICA website at "Entering and Departing Singapore" for more information on Singapore's entry requirements and the list of prohibited or controlled items.
• It is important to update your submission if you subsequently visit a hospital, have contact with a COVID-19 case or if there is any change in your health status or travel history prior to your arrival in Singapore. Providing false or misleading health and travel declarations is an offence under Section 64(b) of Singapore's Infectious Diseases Act.

Thresholds

Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act lists the amount of controlled drugs beyond which, the person who carries them shall be presumed to possess them for the purpose of drug trafficking unless proven otherwise: