Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Proceeds Arising from the Sale of Drugs or Related Activities, by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Home Affairs

Question:

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the Ministry's stance on proceeds arising from the sale of drugs or related activities which are criminal offences in Singapore but not in other jurisdictions; and (b) whether existing laws are robust enough to deal with persons or entities in Singapore who have dealings with persons or entities in other jurisdictions who are involved in such activities and where these activities are not illegal.

Answer:

1. Singapore takes a firm stance against money laundering. We recently strengthened our ability to take action against money launderers through the amendments to the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, passed in Parliament on 19 Nov 2018.

2. However, in order to prosecute a person who launders proceeds from the sale of drugs or other related activities in an overseas jurisdiction, those acts must be offences in that jurisdiction. This is in line with the international legal principle of dual-criminality.

3. Nevertheless, when we are aware of individuals who are involved in such dealings, we pay special attention to them when they come to Singapore.