Singapore's zero tolerance policy against drugs has been loudly echoed but despite that if you still decide to go ahead and commit the crime you just have a death wish or think that you are above the law.

The rule is very simple. Don't do drugs in Singapore.

LKY: "To those who smuggle drugs, one death is too kind"

Walk the streets of Australia at nights and you’ll see the societal impacts of drugs to not just families but also communities.

Formal prime minister said 1 death is too kind

I’m from Barcelona and lived twice in Singapore. As any other country, they have their laws, and knowing them it is your decision to break them or not. You don’t like them? Try to convince your country and change it, and if you can’t, leave and take drugs here in my country, for example. There are plenty of junkies dying and families in grief because of it and the lack of laws. You like that better?

After reading the video title, I didn't expect to drug 'trafficking' those amounts. THOSE ARE NOT MINOR CHARGES!

When you do an interview with a disgraced lawyer such as M.Ravi. You automatically lose all credibility.

You know drugs is illegal in singapore, when you found out your brother is abusing drugs you didnt report him to the CNB to prevent him from further suffering. Now he get caught for drug trafficking you blame the government, what a joke.

So happy that SG stays strict and keeps their law enforcement up! This is what makes SG society way stronger and fast forward as other major economies in America or Europe that play around with low drug enforcement. I’m a german and it’s so sad to see how common drug usage is in european party scenes… that stuff is everywhere there and kills the society like a parasite slowly from inside.

On every single airline before you transit and arrive into Singapore they announce “ Singapore holds the death penalty to those trafficking drugs” So everyone is warned before arrival this is the case. Singapore isn’t the only country that does this. It keeps a society free of crime and further plagues of issues narcotics bring.

What baffles me, is that people are still willing to risk it. It's absolutely insane.

I actually like what Singapore is doing. None of the people executed were innocent. No one of the relatives even attempts to take responsibility.

The irony when you say your ‘brother’ caused much misery to your family during his younger days…. Now he is caught for trafficking U know how much more misery he is causing to other family?

My husband and I are Canadians and have lived in Singapore for the past 15 years. While I feel for the families of people sentenced to death for drug offences, I strongly support Singapore's harsh drug laws. These laws have kept Singapore's society safe and free of the social ills that accompany drug addiction. To those advocating for more lenient laws, I urge you to visit cities like Seattle, Portland, and my hometown of Vancouver. These cities are struggling with a drug/opioid epidemic, which is just getting worse. The situation is worsening because of ludicrous laws (many focused on harm reduction), which results in a system that enables drug users. In Vancouver, for example, there are: - Safe injection sites, - An endless supply of free clean needles, - Free drugs (to prevent users from dying from tainted drugs), - More recently, the decriminalization of 2.5 grams of any hard drug in British Columbia. The scary thing is that some people still think this is too conservative! Heck at this rate, why not just legalize drugs?!! It is also common knowledge that Narcan (opioid blocker) kits are being handed out like candy to revive people who have overdosed (a very common occurrence)! Parts of these cities now resemble slums and ghettos. It is truly shocking and sad. The grim reality is that many other US and Canadian cities will follow. And, let's be clear, this is not a socio-economic problem, as many people can succumb to drugs, not just the poor and marginalized. If you want to see open drug use on city streets, people walking around out of their minds, dirty needles in alleyways and sidewalks, people defecating and urinating on sidewalks, an increase in homelessness, and a surge in crime, then, by all means, advocate for lenient drug laws. If not, appreciate Singapore's drug laws, as harsh as they may be. I do, and I am so grateful to be living here!

It's a no brainer to put human lives above any drug crimes. Having said so, all such documentaries should also showcase the harm inflicted on drug users and their families to have a balanced view of the issue. Several years ago, I was at a beach town in Thailand and encountered a American retiree who was having foot massage beside me. He said, "For a long time, I chose to spend time more in Thailand than in the United States because I like the safe and simple life of the people here. But things had changed. I saw more drug peddlers and drug abuse problem in the streets. The place has become dangerous and shady. It's amazing how Singapore manages the drug situation."

All those of you who are against our fight against drugs, plse go n live in the US for 10 yrs n see for yourself the effect of drugs. Go live in the neighbourhood where u see the entire streets filled with addicts high on drugs, standing/sitting/lying motionless in their state of addiction n the filthy streets full of rubbish, needles. And remember to take your kids for a nice long walk along the street especially during the night n see whether u feel safe. I certainly don't want to see this kind of street in my country Singapore. Its a fair game, u smuggle n get caught you pay the price. If u manage to go undetected, congrats you made some money out of your smuggling activities but remember, you wont always win the game. All our warnings are known almost all over the world n if you are game for the risk, well we are game to repay you what you deserve so please dont come crying about cruelty or human rights shit once you are caught. Whichever way it turn out from your drug smuggling, you deserves it. Those young folks sitting there as part of the campaign, well I guess you grew up in a nice environment n dont see how our early generations fought to keep this little country from gangs n drugs which could have brought down the country if not for the tough actions of our past government. For all u know had we allow drugs to ruined our country, these young folks may be shooting themselves with drugs too. You young folks are still naive n innocent. U think u know alot but the true fact is, u haven't fought for anything yet. You haven't earn your keep yet.

Measures like this is what makes SG "The Safest City in the WORLD" !!! Its not easy and not a joke! Zero tolerance to drugs bring fear to users and peddlers eventually disappearing out of people's head and put them to productive work instead of being addicts. Such strict rules keeps away drug related crimes like firearm offences , murders etc..

There are a lot of people complaining about the death penalty,they should look at the drug rates between Singapore and Western countries

Even with this drug death penalty law, there are still so many ppl trying to smuggle drug into sg. Imagine if this law abolished, more smugglers will take their chance and the street will be more and full of drugs flowing around.

Even if the death penalty only discourages 50 dealers, 50 dealers could reck the lives of thousands of people with ease.

im american, and our country is swamped with drugs, and its getting worse. good for you singapore. ignore the naive activists and continue keeping your country clean.

"1 death is too kind. for years and years, the daughter or the son is an addict" quoted from. LkY.. If you set a precedent to give way to drug traffickers, hundreds and thousands of families in Singapore will be destroyed. My respect to our late PM, LKY. 0 tolerance to drugs. Despite the outcry from the world, nothing change his mind.

As harsh as it is for the families, I think if Singapore was to have lax drug laws, it would bring suffering and poverty to thousands of families instead of death penalty bringing suffering to only a few dozen families.

"just dont do drugs" this person clearly does not know what addiction even is

When they caught they will all suddenly become caring, devoted, kind-hearted people who were misguided and had a tough time growing up.....

To those who are attempting to speak from a position of a high moral ground , I'll tell you that Singapore did not get to where it is today by asking foreigners how the country should be run. If you don't like it, stay home 🏘️🤡

as someone who has 2 uncles who used to be "stubborn" drug users. i support the govt stance on their tough laws against drug use and trafficking. growing up as a little kid (about 3 or 4 years old), i witnessed the emotional and mental stress faced by my late grandparents trying to deal with these 2 uncles of mine. they will steal my late grandparent's monies and abused them physically if my late grandparents refused to give them monies to feed their drug addictions. there are times when loan sharks would harassed outside our house because apparently my 2 uncles would resort to borrow money from them just to buy drugs. unfortunately, these nightmares continued for almost 40 years. after many times (lost count) being in and out of drug rehabs and realising that they are getting older, they finally kicked their bad addictions away. so, growing up... even though i have these 2 uncles. i do not really know them personally (except as the 2 uncles who were drug addicts) because they were always taken away to the drug rehab by the police or when they are out of the drug rehab. the cycle continued.. they would be out on the street, getting wasted!

Minor? lol. Would there be a minor murder offender? Drug offender is drug offender.

It's easy: don't bring drugs into Singapore and you'll be perfectly fine. No other way around it.

Why should one stand up for deviance? No means no. Consequence is consequence. Simple equation.

Hi,I agree with Lawyer Luo that death penalty should NOT be abolished else will be very chaotic plus Singapore law will be taken for granted! Just remember that each home has its rules n the country has its law!

960g of heroin,is not minor offence,this guy was caught with this amount before

Before traveler getting into Singapore , they will receive the notes of death penalty for smuggling drug into the country state and if they insisted to bring the drug in, Why not let them bear the cost? Why can't they follow the law of the country they're traveling into?

Singapore is probably one of the safest countries, if not the safest country, in the world. Kudos to them

Well...when you wish to travel to a country, you ought to be aware of the laws/regulations in place..I mean common sense, u want to get involved in drug trafficking, you will weight the pros and cons.. Other countries like Thailand may close 1 eye..but definitely not Singapore. Why use emotions to protest against something you know jolly well will get u the death penalty if you want to bring in drugs? The above case is 1 example. He has been in and out of jail so many times he still want to test the system, ultimately resulting in his downfall..

Bravo to the s'pore govt for having the death penalty against drug traffickers. The s'pore govt is ranked the most effective in Asia and third in the world. Remarkable! 👍👍👍

Don't be stupid. Do you know a father throw his own son in jail for taking drug. He is a prison warden. Do you want to experience his broken heart as a father. So listen to me

Trafficking of drugs is not consider "minor"....

Kirsten Han talks about drug traffickers like they are heroes

Growing numbers supporting abolishing death penalty? Usually people who opposed it are more vocals. Maybe go and find out how many supports death penalty in Singapore

Even as Singapore has put in place laws to keep everyone safe from harm, offenders choose to disobey law. People still take their chances and commit crime. When caught, just have to face the consequences for own choice of action. We look at the angle when drug offenders' are sentenced to death. We ought to look at how drug abuse ruin lives too. Not easy to be government. Whatever is the choice, people has something to say. I remembered when touring in chengmai, there was a young man in a tour travelling alone and making friends with us. One the way back to Singapore, he asked me and my friend if he could put some stuff into our luggage because his was overweight. He kept pestering us. Strictly, we say "No" to him. In my mind i was thinking about i could be carrying illegal stuff for him. We need to stay vigilant to protect ourselves. Educate our family members too. I cautioned elderly folks about this incident. Dont be a partner in crime. Lets stay vigilant be mindful of the consequences.

Lets be honest. One of the main reasons why we have a death sentence for such offences is as a deterrent. The government does not find pleasure in killing, I don't either and I'm sure most people do not. The death sentence is there as a deterrent. It is what you get if you do it. You know? If there is an exposed live cable, and you touch it, there is a high chance you will be shocked. But if you still do it, you cannot blame anyone but yourself. Now I know there are circumstances in which such things should be reconsidered, and that's the only thing I feel can be improved here. And also how sometimes our courts allow wealthier or better educated convicts off with a lower punishment then the ones who have no money or status.

See, the misconception here is that none of the drug traffickers are innocent. Singapore has made it clear that drug trafficking will lead to the death penalty and this is echoed so loudly across the world that a person who dares to bring in drugs to our country have already made their decision to go for the risk. There is no crime against humanity here. Also, another misconception is that a Singaporean caught abusing drugs won't necessarily be killed off. The death penalty is reserved specifically to foreigners bringing in drugs across the borders and locals who are part of the drug trafficking market. Locals who use drugs are actually welcome to surrender themselves to local authorities and they will be placed into rehabilitation - no criminal record or anything. Drug ruins families and communities. Making drugs accessible to everyone is deadlier than a person going on a murder spree. The economy will not be as strong if the population is hooked on narcotics. If people want to use drugs, leave Singapore. There are many other countries out there where smoking weed and whatnot is legal, go there then. However, the point here is that the strong control on drugs is singlehandedly the reason why most Singaporeans are productive. If foreigners want to ruin our community with their intent on selling drugs and making profits off of our own livelihood, then they should be hanged for even thinking of doing so. Drug traffickers are no different from terrorists.

Don’t bring in drugs, you won’t get hang. Simple.

Wow, the bar is that low for a "great" man - "He never lay hands on my mother or me"???!!!

drug traffickers are the ones who chose death themselves the moment they decide to traffick drugs into singapore..everyone knows that trafficking drugs into singapore results in death penalty..there are glaring signs all over the borders and every primary sch kid knows that too..so to know that there is a death penalty yet still choose to traffick drugs its basically solely on them for choosing death for themselves.. its like warning someone that if you run into a burning house and if the fire reaches you you will be burned to death and you still run into the fire then its really on you when you burn to death..its not the death penalty that ends their lives..its their own decision to play with death and their own lives that ends with their demise and thats the consequence they need to face.. not to mention these ppl not only play with their own lives but they play with the lives of others knowing how much drugs can destroy and kill ppl and relationships..so no matter what the death penalty needs to stay to protect ppl lives and families from those who have no regard for their own lives and the lives of others

Please DO NOT abolish death penalty, there are consequences of our decisions. Preventive measures are needed before it is too late

I think we can all agree drugs are bad and should not be consumed. So a country has decided that people should not do a bad thing and told people in the country and coming into the country that if you carry drugs you'll be punished with the death penalty. It is very clear and I'm sure everyone who carried the drug in Singapore know that they are not suppose to and is aware that if they get caught they can be convicted to death row penalty. If they, as an adult who can make their own decisions, decide to do something which leads to death penalty then they have to bear with the consequences. Why do all the anti-death people don't understand that? I understand that yes they may have addiction to the drug but they still know if they choose to carry a certain amount they are liable to death row. It's a decision they had made.

What is deterring people is the high penalty. Is it worth losing your life over 15g of heroin. If a trafficker thinks it is worth it for the amount they made, perhaps the problem isn't the drug but the social circumstances the person is in. The death penalty is just one piece of the puzzle, how about societal issues from drug trafficking. How can the vulnerable be protected if trafficking isn't strict. Is educating people about drugs enough? If so, why do we still have young people experimenting? How do you regulate people buying drugs illegally off the street? Already as it is there are many pain medication in singapore that are controlled like Oxycodone. These are drugs that is used for medicinal purposes but can also be be abused. I think it is also important to look at how other countries with serious drug problem deal with their drug issues. And hear their stories about how drugs affected their lives. How some counties are in a state of emergency because of drugs. How poverty pursues because of drugs.

One life does not outweigh the amount of harm drugs will do to potentially thousands even tens of thousands of lives in Singapore. I am sorry for their families but actions have consequences. The death penalty may seem inhumane but the deterrence it provides, as well as the lives it saves more than justifies its existence.

This may be considered to be a hard consequence for a crime!!! Singapore does not want drugs in there COUNTRY!! Period!!! You come with drugs you will face serious consequences!! Best thing Is obey the country laws!! Drugs or any crime!!

Simple just respect every country 's law and you'll be safe.

I don't get it. They most likely knew the strict laws before bringing in drug substances that would destroy many families in Singapore. They made their own choice

People are getting mixed with the difference between smuggling in drugs and consumption of drugs. Consumption of drugs DOES NOT get you the death penalty. Smuggling in does.

so alcohol is legal there?

The audio is really distracting. Hey vice!Invest in a mic for this reporter.

Imagine if the drugs had gotten into the hands of those who had money to buy them and ingest them. Imagine the filter effects on other family members, the abuse they face from having an addicted member, who can’t hold down a job yet have to keep finding sources to satisfy their addiction, like stealing, doing all kinds crimes, causing injury to other families, it’s a vicious cycle. I’m not saying I support the death penalty, I’m saying do we have other options that will not involve a greater loss of livelihoods/lives of families who become collateral damage because of 1 person taking/selling drugs?

Executing one trafficker prevents 100 potential traffickers/abusers in future

So does Singapore need to wait until it has reached the situation like the US opioid epidemic before it can roll out capital punishment?

The main problem I have with the death penalty is, if there ever is a wrongful conviction, there is no way you can reverse the sentence. The condemned is dead. It is irreversible. 🙄

Why is the lawyer laughing?

Salute to Singapore.i was a former prison special unit warder.i have assisted in two death practicals.as a human being, I feel sad but I still support the Government for its stand on drug related issues.From my experience in Changi prison, I would advise any would be's, stay away from drugs.Follow the rules and you will be welcome in Singapore.God Bless Singapore

The drug trafficker is not evil? Mind you ok, but the drug they traffick kill lives and bring untold misery to other families.

One of the common problem with illegal drugs is causing family to break apart, imagine without strict law and drug abuse is everywhere in Singapore. How many family going to get hurt? Killing someone or to be hang is not a enjoyable happy feeling/topic is totally heartbreaking. But for the society and millions family, unfortunately there’s no better way. Please think twice before act.

Big up to Singapore's zero tolerance on drugs related offenses

Only convicted drug trafficker gets the mandatory death sentence. What's so minor about it? Do you consider drug trafficking as a minor offence?

I don't think there is an other option for death punishment for drug trafficking. Drug damage social fabric and destroy thousand of life and what left are; hundreds of broken families. There is no grey area and definitely NO Room for leniency over drug abuse and trafficking. The signal sent from Singapore Government is clear and impartial. If you found trafficking drug, you will be punished in the most severe way, no alternatives. Most Singaporean support this, no other countries, people or organisation should mettle with our internal affair. MYOB, please!

I'm no fan of PAP esp shanmugam but I support this law against drug traffickers 🙏🏻👍🏻

"People talk about these men on death row as if they're evil, or hardened criminals. " Duh! They are sugar, they are...

Please interview both side to be fair... Don't say 3 table spoons, tell the weight... He know what he doing, and what in return for what he did... and do not use poor to be a reason for criminal act... i know people who struggle economically but work hard and had their lives improved...

This is not a simple question, if you say consumption of drugs is personal choice then what about those addicted to drugs hurt the other people in the society because their brain is no longer functioning properly? How about those that pass on this practise to their next generation?

The death penalty for drugs shouldn’t even be debated. It worked for a very very long time. You don’t change something if it’s working very very well. These drug traffickers know what they’re getting into. Even if they don’t initially, when they’ve been jailed once, they chose to do it again. What does that show? That’s open defiance. They deserve the death penalty 100%. As much as I pity the family, I’m sorry but he deserved it. In and out of prison for so many times. There’s no excuse. He should have sought help or treatment for his addiction, get counselling, or do his utmost best to get the help he needs to put the drugs behind him. But he did the opposite. I really really hope the Singapore government doesn’t cave in to these brainless protests and calls for its abolishment. It’s plain stupid. The fucker that interviewed Shanmugam is also bloody stupid. Expected but cmon, it’s impossible for someone or a group of people to be that naive and stupid to get the death penalty abolished. I hope it never happens

Each and every Country have their own Law & Order. Including Singapore

"Prohibition doesn't work" Except when actual sentences are carried out.

While I do think there are other problems that relate to drugs, abolishing the death penalty will do more harm than good. Since the penalty has been in place and observing singapore as an outsider, the country seems to be doing well (emphasize the word "observing"). Seeing the harm that drugs can do in my country and community over the years, makes me wonder what life would be without the presence of drugs or less use of it. Where there's drugs there's violence. If drug traffickers can be deterred by this law I'm all for it. Saddens me to see someone living on drugs.

I commend Singapore for practicing their own laws and not listening to the "liberal imperialism" of the West.

I support capital punishment for major crimes like drug/human trafficking, murder, firearms etc. These scums do not care for human lives. Why should we care about theirs? Without such people, lives are much more peaceful and trouble free.

1 life is a price to pay to save thousands

Imagine how safe the US would be if we had a zero tolerance rule like Singapore.

How many of these "activists" has first hand experience on what damage drugs can do? Group of infantile people yet to see the world.

Even with death penalty for drugs, these drug traffickers aren’t afraid. Don’t they see their loved ones suffer if they are sentenced to death? For a murderer, it’s hard to close the case just by imprisonment. The victim’s family will never see him again. They need a closure. Frankly the Kovan killer shows no remorse for what he had done.

They don’t realise how many families drugs will destroy

It feels surreal to see a country like Singapore having the death penalty for taking drugs, and comparing it to my home country (Bulgaria) where the majority of population wants stricter punishment for murderers. (We don't have death penalty, and for murder you get between 10 and 20 years in prison, according to law.)

He has been in and out of jail so many times, did he learnt, no he did not and he tested the system. From teens till he got caught, he never learnt and so he paid the price with his life, the fact he can go out and get puma shoes for his child shows he can have a different life. He chose death.

Please please please please stay away from drugs.

South East Asia have the worst punishment for drugs smuggler, why the hell they still dare to bring or use drugs there?

More countries should bring back the death penalty! Understandably some people think it's harsh... until your wife, daughter etc gets raped... your love ones gets murdered... many countries are struggling, Philippines, Thailand etc, since the drug problem is destroying families, education, their economy etc... if you know that you'll get the death penalty and still get involves in drugs then you only have yourself to be blamed. We shout justice for criminals, calling human rights, but how about the rights and life of the victims of their crime?!

has been in and out prison - "my father is a good person". Lol

Fantastic clip of Lee Kuan Yew back in the day on his view of capital punishment for drug traffickers, suggest everyone to watch rather than being guilt tripped by the sister of an addict

If you bring drugs into SG, then you should be prepared to face the consequences. Thank goodness the vast majority of Sgporeans support the death penalty and not these criminals

If we did this in the US for drug traffickers it would really improve the country.

What gives a British right to lecture how Singapore dealt with drug dealers?!

Death penalty for drug dealers, and mandatory detox for drug users = no drug problem

Singapore is doing the right thing.

If you don’t want death penalty, don’t traffic drugs. Simple as that

I don't feel sorry for any of them, they knew what they were doing and more importantly, what the consequences would be.

Well he shouldn't have tried to traffic drugs into Singapore.

Capitol punishment is a deterrent for serious crime such as murder, fire arms, drug trafficking and kidnapping.

One thing for sure the one receives biggest pain is always their loved ones. Singapore is not 3rd world or developing country that one needs to resort to drug trafficking. Earn an honest living may not be much but you will still be with the loved ones in person. Just don't do drugs. Simple.