Death Row for a 49‑Year‑Old Man in Singapore
In a hard‑boiled twist of fate, a 49‑year‑old Singaporean named Mohamed Ansari was handed the death penalty for selling heroin. The scandal began when he and his 26‑year‑old Indonesian girlfriend, Bella Fadila, were caught by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on March 24, 2016.
The Crack‑Open Warehouse
A search of their rented pad at Vibes @ East Coast revealed 77 packets containing a whopping 760 g of what turned out to be 30.23 g of pure heroin. If the amount exceeds 15 g, Singapore’s law says the punishment is death.
“I Hadn’t Met Her Yet” – A Classic Confession
- At the start, Ansari tried to play the innocent by saying Bella had nothing to do with the drugs.
- After a week of interrogation, he flipped and claimed she was “helping him pack” the stash.
- His two statements (March 31 & April 4) said she only packed less than 15 packets, with the rest handled by him.
- Later, he claimed the purpose of implicating her was to try to secure a life sentence plus caning, rather than the death penalty.
During the Trial
In January 2022, Ansari went on the record, saying he “lied” about Bella’s role to “save” her. He also pitched that they each owned part of the drugs: he alleged 13.72 g of his, while 16.51 g belonged to Bella. But the court saw through his double‑talk.
The Judge’s Verdict
On July 22, Justice Valerie Thean, after careful review, delivered a stunning outcome:
- The prosecution’s evidence proved Ansari had possession of all the drugs.
- His story was “not credible” and a clear contradiction to the evidence presented.
- Since he was not a simple courier but confessed to selling five small packets for $350–$400, he was ineligible for life imprisonment.
- On September 19, the judge handed the death penalty to Ansari.
Bella’s Fate
Despite being the alleged partner in crime, Bella finished her sentence first. She pleaded guilty in 2018 and is now serving 26 years behind bars. She, too, played the role of prosecution witness, saying all the drugs belonged to Ansari and she merely helped him package them at his request.
Behind the Legal Curtain
The CNB’s relentless pursuit was built on solid forensic work. A meticulous lab analysis confirmed the heroin content, and the prosecution’s thorough case left no room for a sliver of doubt. The judge’s written grounds reiterated the certainty: “Everyone in my view had full access to the drugs, and the accused’s statements were outright contradictory.”
In the closing remarks, Justice Thean reminded everyone involved that Bella, having already been convicted, was not a lie‑teller in the eyes of the court; she was simply the defendant’s helpful partner, a fact no amount of manipulation could erase.
That’s the Story in a Nutshell
In short, Ansari tried to split the blame but got the full dose of punishment. Meanwhile, Bella’s cooperation and guilty plea earned her a June‑long stay, but the science-backed drugs evidence sealed the fate of a man who didn’t quite think a draft will change a death sentence.
