Tan Xianglong planned to frame his wife with over 500g of cannabis, but his plan unraveled when she noticed him near her car.
SINGAPORE: In a case that involved both cunning and desperation, a man plotted to frame his estranged wife by planting over 500g of cannabis in her car, fully aware of the severe penalties that could result. Tan Xianglong, 37, hoped his plan would go unnoticed and had secretly placed 11 packets of cannabis in the vehicle, knowing that his wife could face the death penalty if charged with trafficking.
Tan’s plan, however, fell apart when his wife received a notification from her car’s in-built camera, which alerted her to his suspicious presence near the vehicle. He had been observed loitering around her car before hastily walking away upon realizing she had spotted him.
The story began in 2022 when Tan’s marriage began to deteriorate. He and his wife were separated and awaiting a divorce, during which Tan grew increasingly frustrated by his mounting debts. He also believed his wife had not contributed sufficiently to their financial burden. His frustration led him to consult lawyers, and he came across the idea of planting illicit drugs to force a legal situation that might hasten the divorce.
Tan’s planning of the “perfect crime” took a darker turn in October 2023. He revealed his intentions to an ex-girlfriend over Telegram, saying he had been preparing for days and believed the crime would be undetectable. He even mentioned his fear of being caught by the authorities, explaining that he would call the police to make sure the situation seemed legitimate.
On October 14, Tan purchased a significant amount of cannabis, costing him S$2,600, through a Telegram seller. Despite knowing the severe consequences, including the death penalty for trafficking over 500g, he proceeded with his plan. On October 17, Tan planted the drugs in his wife’s car, wearing gloves to avoid leaving any trace. However, as he was leaving the car park, he was spotted by his wife, who checked the footage from her car camera and called the police, suspecting Tan’s intentions.
In the following hours, Tan expressed his fear to his ex-girlfriend, admitting he might have left evidence behind, such as his fingerprints or the scent of the cannabis. Despite realizing the risk, Tan attempted to cover his tracks further, but the police, who had already arrived at the scene, found the cannabis in the car.
Tan was arrested later that day, and despite his attempts to retrieve the drugs and further manipulate the situation, the police had already collected evidence that tied him to the crime. His wife was also arrested, but no incriminating evidence was found on her.
The case went to court, where Tan faced charges for possessing cannabis with the intent to frame someone for a serious offense. The prosecution argued that Tan’s actions were premeditated and that his plan, while not directly intended for personal consumption, contributed to the illegal drug trade.
Tan’s actions, despite not leading to the intended outcome, had a significant impact. He was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months’ jail for possessing at least 216g of cannabis. The case highlights not only the lengths to which Tan went to settle his personal grievances but also the severe legal repercussions of attempting to frame someone with such a serious crime.
