Five women were arrested at Singapore’s Changi Airport after nearly 27 kilograms of cocaine was allegedly discovered hidden in their luggage during a transit stop and now may face the death penalty.
Five Women Face Capital Charges In Singapore After Nearly 27kg Of Cocaine Found In Luggage
On July 29, 2025, officers from Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), working with Hong Kong counterparts, intercepted five foreign women aged between 21 and 48 in the transit zone of Changi Airport’s Terminal 4. Authorities recovered approximately 26.9 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside stuffed toys, along with 10 g of cannabis.
Each woman has been charged under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act. Trafficking more than 30 grams of cocaine carries a mandatory death penalty, making this a capital case.
The suspects include Chung Ka Yiu, 21, a Hong Kong national, and four Kenyan nationals: Faith Awino Ouma, 27; Genetrix Atsieno Juma, 27; Joyce Njeri Mburu, 30 and Margaret Kawira Mungai, 32.
Transit Isn’t A Free Pass
Singapore is one of several countries in Asia that imposes capital punishment for drug trafficking. The country’s approach is not symbolic. It has executed both locals and foreigners found guilty of drug crimes, most recently a Singaporean man and a Malaysian woman convicted of smuggling cannabis and heroin, respectively.
Warnings are clearly posted on all immigration forms and airline boarding announcements for flights into Singapore. “Death for drug traffickers under Singapore law” is not a suggestion. It is a legal reality.
What Travelers Should Know
- Singapore enforces some of the world’s strictest drug trafficking laws. Even seemingly minor drug offenses can carry capital sentences.
- Transit passengers should never assume their luggage is safe from inspection. CNB operates surveillance and checks across all terminals, including transit zones.
- Because the women exchanged suitcases before customs checks, authorities considered it suspicious behavior. Intelligence-sharing between enforcement agencies aided the arrest.
CONCLUSION
Nearly 27 kilograms of cocaine is no small sum and Singapore simply doesn’t tolerate ambiguity when it comes to drug trafficking. Travelers must stay vigilant, aware that strict drug enforcement, even in transit, is very real. Be mindful of your luggage, your behavior, and most of all, know the law before you fly.
Let this be a reminder that when traveling abroad, ignorance is not a defense. Know the laws, and be extremely cautious—especially when entering countries with zero-tolerance policies.
image: CNB // hat tip: SINJim
I think there are typos in the article – it is 27 grams or 27 kilograms?
What do you mean by this?
“Trafficking more than 30 grams of cocaine carries a mandatory death penalty. In this case, the reported total was 26.856 grams, making the imposition of the death penalty discretionary.”
I strongly support strict drug trafficking laws. As an opponent of the death penalty, however, obviously I don’t support Singapore’s stance in this regard.
I find it extremely disturbing, that a country can justify death for carrying 30g of drugs, even with intent for distribution.
Article says 30 kg, which is over 60 pounds
Matthew says that you get death for 30 grams.
you bring drugs into Singapore, expect to die
Don’t whine when you FAFO
You say both grams and kilograms in your article. Which is it? You say there were carrying 26.9 Kilograms – did you mean grams.
Click on the link on the article: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/5-women-face-capital-charges-after-they-were-allegedly-found-with-nearly-27kg-of-cocaine
“Five foreign women were each handed a capital charge on July 31 after they were allegedly found with more than 1,300 pellets containing nearly 27kg of cocaine in Singapore.” They should have known the local laws before making this stupid mistake. Too bad!
Yellow cocaine is a thing? Kids today…
I think Singapore’s drug laws are madness. The laws are draconian and inhumane. I recognize that Singapore does have to have harsh penalties for law breaking but killing people is pretty extreme.
That said, their laws are what they are and carrying multiple kilos of cocaine through Singapore makes Florida Man look like Albert Einstein by comparison.
Their county, their laws. If you don’t like it, don’t travel to Singapore or much easier, do not break their laws. They didn’t just make up that law on the spot, it has been in place for a long time and it is the type of law that makes Singapore one of the best best places to live in the world. I fully support it. Just don’t break the law and you will be fine.