Another Cannabis Smuggler Executed...Singapore Remains Unyielding on 'Zero Tolerance for Drugs'

The death penalty has been carried out against a man in his 40s who was convicted of cannabis smuggling in Singapore.

Local media outlets, including The Straits Times, reported that Omar Yaqub Bamadhaj, 46, whose death sentence was finalized in 2021, was executed by hanging on April 16, 2026.

Omar was apprehended at a checkpoint in July 2018 while driving from Malaysia into Singapore. A search of his vehicle revealed a bag containing three bundles wrapped in aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and newspaper, which were found to contain at least 1,009.1 grams of cannabis.

According to Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act, anyone caught smuggling more than 500 grams of cannabis may be sentenced to death. The amount seized in his case far exceeded this threshold.

Downtown Singapore. Pixabay

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During the trial, Omar claimed he was unaware of the contents of the bag. He also testified that, during police questioning, he was threatened with beatings if he did not confess to owning the packages, and told that both he and his father would be hanged if he did not cooperate.

However, the court did not accept his claims as credible, citing testimony from officers at the scene and CCTV footage. The judges ruled that Omar had intentionally smuggled the cannabis and found him guilty. He subsequently filed appeals and a petition for retrial, all of which were rejected. His plea for presidential clemency was also denied.

Singapore maintains a strict policy of severe punishment for drug-related crimes. Since resuming executions in March 2022, after a nearly two-year hiatus, the country has continued to carry out hangings for crimes such as cannabis smuggling.

International criticism of these policies continues. In 2023, ahead of a similar execution, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about the scheduled execution, stating, “We, who respect guarantees of fair trial procedures, are concerned about the planned execution,” and called for a halt. Nevertheless, Singapore proceeded with the execution.

Local courts maintain the position that “if an offense is proven beyond reasonable doubt, severe punishment is unavoidable” for drug crimes. According to a survey by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2024, more than 80% of Singaporeans believe that capital punishment is effective in deterring serious crimes such as drug trafficking.

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