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Drug accused faces caning in Singapore

Sidney Morning Herald

Tuesday 16 Jan 2007

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A South Australian man charged with trafficking cannabis in Singapore
faces up to 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.

Michael Karras was arrested earlier this month, not long after the first
anniversary of the death of Melbourne man Nguyen Tuong Van, who was
hanged for heroin smuggling in Singapore in 2005.

Karras, 38, is accused of trafficking 495 grams of cannabis and was
arrested on January 9 at an apartment in eastern Singapore, according to
his charge sheet.

The drug was allegedly found in four flat slabs.

If found guilty, Karras faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail plus
15 strokes of the cane.

The amount of cannabis allegedly found is crucial because under
Singapore's tough drug laws trafficking 500 grams of cannabis would be
punishable by death.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed the arrest
of an Australian man on drug-related charges but did not name him.

"We can confirm that a 38-year-old man from South Australia has been
arrested in Singapore for alleged drug-related offences," a spokesman said.

"At present it is unclear what charges the man will face and until
charges are confirmed it would be inappropriate to comment on the
possible penalty."

Australian officials are providing consular assistance to Karras and his
family in Australia.

Nguyen was hanged on December 2, 2005, after his conviction for
trafficking nearly 400 grams of heroin.

His death caused a major outcry in Australia and prompted an
unsuccessful campaign to save him from the gallows.

Singapore went ahead with the punishment despite repeated pleas for his
life from Prime Minister John Howard and other leading figures.

Nguyen was caught Changi Airport in 2002 carrying nearly 400 grams of
the drug while in transit from Cambodia to his home in Melbourne.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Drug-accused-faces-caning-in-Singapore/2007/01/16/1168709746946.html

 

 

 

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