AFP could access mystery call behind Phillip Sceats cocaine arrest in Singapore
A police tip off from an unknown caller could hold the key to why Amber Sceats’ stepfather was framed for cocaine possession and faced the death sentence. SEE THE VIDEO
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The mystery caller who tipped off Singaporean authorities that jewellery designer Amber Sceats’ stepdad had cocaine in his luggage could be unmasked if the Australian Federal Police ask for help from their Singapore counterparts.
Senior police sources suggest the AFP liaison officer stationed in Singapore has only to make an approach to Singapore police to share the information which could to help them solve the crime of who framed Sydney businessman Phillip George Sceats.
They also have the option of formally asking for mutual assistance.
Freedom of information requests by News Corp have revealed the AFP already holds at least nine documents totalling dozens of pages about Mr Sceats’ case from the day after his arrest in Singapore to two days before his release – that have never been revealed.
The AFP has been asked if approaches have been made to Singapore police to share the information about the mystery caller. But an AFP spokeswoman said “it will not be providing further comment on this matter.”
A secret witness has already come forward to investigators with information as to why Mr Sceats might have been framed on the drug smuggling charges in March 2018 which landed him on death row in Singapore for almost a year.
The witness gave details of details of a private conversation which took place in Sydney before Mr Sceats travelled overseas on a family holiday to Langkawi via Singapore. The details were included in a dossier of evidence given to the AFP by a group of former high-ranking police officers desperately trying to find out who had planted drugs in the suitcase of the then 64-year-old Mr Sceats and save him from the gallows.
News Corp on Sunday revealed the incredibly lucky story of Mr Sceats’ escape from death row after he fell victim to an elaborate crime in which someone planting cocaine in his suitcase before a tip-off was made to the Singaporean authorities.
Mr Sceats was saved after an international investigation which included Singaporean lawyer Amarick Gill, Singapore investigators from the Central Narcotics Bureau and a team in Australia which included former Queensland police officer Oliver Laurence, former Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Graham Rynders, former NSW Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas and former Victorian police officer Ken Clark.
Mr Gill has told News Corp the Singaporean authorities know where the call came from and he has asked them to reveal the information.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw is set to be questioned about Mr Sceats’ case by Independent Senator Rex Patrick during Senates Estimates on Tuesday.
Mr Sceats was arrested on March 7, 2018 while transiting through Changi Airport on his way to a surprise holiday to mark his 64th birthday and meet up with wife of 34 years Jeanette who was in Hong Kong for business.
But when he left the aircraft in Singapore, where he was to spend a few hours before getting another plane to Malaysia, airport officials were waiting for him.
They already had his name and asked him to point out his suitcase when it came out of the baggage carousel.
When his bag was x-rayed and opened, Mr Sceats was stunned to find two barely-concealed bags containing white powder packed in his suitcase.
Arrested on the spot and later charged with trafficking cocaine, Mr Sceats was about to be the first Australian hanged for drug offences since the 2005 hanging of Melbourne man Nguyen Tuong Van.
But through the efforts of the investigation teams, Mr Sceats was released.
He had spent 353 days in jail terrified he would be hanged for a crime he did not commit.
In a rare move the charges against him were dropped by the Singaporean authorities and he was allowed to return to Australia.
OVERHEARD CONVERSATION COULD HOLD THE KEY
An overheard conversation may hold the key to who framed Aussie jewellery designer to the stars Amber Sceats’ stepfather on the drug smuggling charges which landed him on death row in Singapore.
A witness has come forward with information which might help reveal a potential person of interest and their motive for setting up businessman Phillip George Sceats.
It comes as News Corp Australia can reveal NSW Police will seek to interview Mr Sceats after his harrowing 353 day order on death was revealed yesterday.
Details of the private conversation – which took place in Sydney before Mr Sceats travelled overseas – were included in a dossier of evidence given to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) by a group of former high-ranking police officers.
The former officers were hired by Mr Sceats’ family who were desperately trying to find out who had planted drugs in the suitcase of the then 64-year-old and tipped off Singapore authorities before he arrived.
Mr Sceats was saved after an international investigation headed by top Singaporean lawyer Amarick Gill, Singapore investigators from the Central Narcotics Bureau and a team in Australia which included former Queensland police officer Oliver Laurence, former Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Graham Rynders, former NSW Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas and former Victorian police officer Ken Clark.
The case has sparked widespread concern that this could happen again.
Independent Federal Senator Rex Patrick has flagged he will be asking questions in Senate Estimates this week, while NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said yesterday there is an urgent need to fully investigate this case.
“There must be a commitment for a fully resourced police task force to identify the truth,” Mr Shoebridge told News Corp Australia.
“Thankfully this was an Australian citizen who had the resources to prove his innocence. I shudder to think what would have happened if that was not the case,” he said.
A 12-page overview of the investigation put together by the former officers – including potential persons of interests – was given to the AFP in late 2018 but Mr Laurence said the AFP never even responded to him.
Freedom of information requests by this journalist, who was also consulted in the investigation into Mr Sceats’ framing, have revealed a trail of documents about the case held by the AFP, which they have declined to release.
Some of the documents include discussions with a foreign government, presumed to be Singapore.
A brief of the alleged criminal conspiracy which took place in NSW had been given to the NSW Police, who opened an investigation at the time. It is understood they referred the matter to the AFP.
However arrangements are now being made for Mr Sceats to talk to NSW Police.
The dossier of evidence contains a statement from a witness revealing an overheard private conversation.
“It became clear to us early in the investigation that Philip Sceats was the subject of an elaborate set up,” Mr Rynders said.
“The evidence considered in its entirety pointed to the fact that circumstantially he did not conceal cocaine in his luggage. It simply did not make sense.
“We held the view that more than likely one or more people had set him up and this was strongly supported by the evidence we had obtained.
“The consequences of those actions led to him being incarcerated on death row in Changi prison and ultimately could have cost him his life,” Mr Rynders said.
“Thankfully it didn’t.”
Mr Sceats was arrested on March 7, 2018 while transiting through Changi Airport on his way to a surprise holiday in Lagkawi to mark his 64th birthday. He was due to meet up with wife of 34 years Jeanette who was in Hong Kong for business.
But when he left the aircraft in Singapore, where he was to spend a few hours before getting another plane to Malaysia, airport officials were waiting for him.
They already had his name and asked him to point out his suitcase when it came out of the baggage carousel.
“When they pulled me up and said there was cocaine in my bag, I thought someone was playing a joke on me and it must be sugar,” he told News Corp Australia.
“The bags were kind of stuck to the inside of my bag (with masking tape) and they were a bit like a neon sign,” he said.
But it was no joke.
In a rare move the charges against him were dropped by the Singaporean authorities and he was allowed to return to Australia.
He now wants answers as to what happened to him and why.
Former NSW Police Minister and former Labor Leader Michael Daley said this matter must be investigated not only to bring justice for Mr Sceats, but to give confidence to Australian travellers in the future that the Australian authorities are there to help them.