Drug pair will not be deported

Press, 21 April 1979, Page 24

Drug pair will not be deported

PA Wellington Because two Singaporean citizens convicted in New Zealand on heroin charges might face the death penalty if returned to their homeland, the Court of Appeal has cancelled a Supreme Court recommendation for their deportation. Mohd Ramli Bin Mahmod, aged 31, unemployed, and Abdul Rahman Bin Ahmad, aged 26, unemployed, had each pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court at Auckland to a charge of importing heroin. Both had been sentenced to 10 years jail, and a recommendation had been made for their deportation. Mr G. L. Turkington appeared for both appellants, and Mr P. J. Keane for the Crown. The Court comprised Mr Justice Woodhouse, Mr Justice Cooke, and Mr Justice Richardson. The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeals against sentence, but allowed the appeals against the deportation recommendation. The Supreme Court had also ordered that the sum of $30,832 found in the pair’s possession be forfeited to the Crown.

Referring to the jail sentences, Mr Justice Woodhouse, in an oral judgment, said a considerable quantity of heroin had been brought to New Zealand from Singapore, and that a severe deterrent sentence had been called for.

On the question of the deportation recommendation, his Honour said the Court was being asked to recognise that during the long period of their jail sentences the appellants would have capital charges in Singapore hanging over their heads. The Court last year had dealt with an appeal on that same point and had cancelled a deportation order on humanitarian grounds. The Court could not accept the view of the sentencing judge that the facts of the present case were any different from the previous case, and the Court’s decision then was the law to be applied. The Minister of Immigration could in any case on his own initiative take, steps to order the men’s deHon without any recommendation from the Court, his Honour said.