Calvin Ang accused of accepting bribes to smuggle contraband pills into the prison
A 39-year-old Singaporean, Calvin Ang Wei Sheng, has been charged with corruption for allegedly smuggling sedative pills into Changi Prison. Ang, a prison workshop supervisor employed by New Hope Food Industries Pte Ltd, allegedly received S$1,200 in bribes from four inmates in exchange for purchasing and smuggling Epam pills into the prison.
Epam pills, which contain nitrazepam, are commonly used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. The four inmates—Ismail Bin Musun Mollah, 56, Irees Bin Rahman, 49, Sidek Bin Jamaludin, 42, and Muhammad Shaifullah Bin Ab Latif, 36—were also charged with corruption for their involvement in the scheme.
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) received information about the contraband and conducted an internal investigation. During searches of the prison workshop, inmates’ cells, and common areas, some of the pills were discovered. Ang was barred from entering SPS premises, and the four inmates were isolated while investigations were conducted. The case was then referred to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
According to the CPIB’s press release, Ang received bribes from the inmates over five occasions in September and October 2021. The money was provided as a reward for his role in smuggling the sedatives. Ang has been charged with five counts of receiving gratification, and he is planning to plead guilty.
He appeared in court on November 18, 2022, and is currently out on bail. If convicted, Ang faces a fine of up to S$100,000 or up to five years in prison, or both. The inmates, who are already serving sentences, also face serious penalties. If convicted, they could face a fine of S$10,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both for each offence. The case has been scheduled for further court proceedings on January 12, 2023.
The Singapore Prison Service emphasized its commitment to preventing contraband smuggling, stating that it adopts a zero-tolerance approach to such activities.
