Singapore — A volleyball coach was imprisoned for drug offences after his methamphetamine packet was accidentally delivered to the wrong flat.
On Thursday (Oct 21), Marvin Chew Xuan Han, 37, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug consumption and one count of possessing meth. Two other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
Reports noted that Chew knew a man named “Josh” who had arranged for a deliveryman to pick up the package containing meth from Chew to be delivered to Josh to his flat on May 4, 2020.
Chew gave the paper bag to the deliveryman and was tasked to send it over to Josh for S$12.
Josh received a notification from the courier company that the parcel was successfully delivered, but he did not receive the package.
When he called the deliveryman, the latter confirmed that he had dropped off the parcel. However, he highlighted that he might have mistaken the floor and delivered it to the sixth-floor unit on top of his.
When Josh went up to ask his neighbour for the package, the neighbour refused. She then called the police and informed them of a package containing a suspicious item.
Police officers confiscated the paper bag and apprehended Chew. His two urine samples were found to contain meth, reported Channel News Asia.
Chew admitted consuming the drug a few days ago, noting he got it from an unknown man he met online.
After being released on court bail, Chew was arrested again on Oct 11, 2020. His two urine samples also contained meth.
He admitted having injected the drug on himself.
The prosecutor requested 26 months imprisonment for Chew for assisting in the movement of drugs, even though unsuccessfully.
The prosecutor added that if it wasn’t for the deliveryman’s mistake, the offence would have carried on undetected.
Chew’s sentence was deferred to November.
Regarding his career, a notice by Sport Singapore (SportSG) in a June 2021 National Registry of Coaches states that Chew was suspended since Aug 17, 2020, pending investigations.
“In light of the judgment of the court, a National Registry of Coaches panel will be convened to determine the appropriate action against (Chew), which may include termination and debarment,” said a SportSG spokesperson to CNA.
It was also revealed that Josh’s real name is Joo Jian Beng. He was previously sentenced to one-year imprisonment for drug consumption and possession. /TISG
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