Repeat drug offender jailed over five years for bribing police to smoke cigarette
A 42-year-old woman with a long history of drug offences was sentenced to five years and eight months’ jail after offering a S$1,000 bribe to police officers so she could smoke one last cigarette while in custody. The case highlights persistent relapse issues among repeat drug offenders and Singapore’s firm stance on corruption and drug abuse.
- Radika Rajavarma, 42, was sentenced to five years, eight months and four weeks’ jail, plus 256 days for breaching a remission order.
- She attempted to bribe two police officers with S$1,000 to smoke a final cigarette after her arrest.
- Radika had prior drug convictions in 2018 and 2020, and reoffended while under supervision.
SINGAPORE: A repeat drug offender has been sentenced to over five years’ jail after she attempted to bribe two police officers with S$1,000 to smoke one more cigarette while in custody.
According to The Straits Times, 42-year-old Radika Rajavarma was sentenced on 28 August 2025 to five years, eight months and four weeks’ imprisonment. She was also ordered to serve an additional 256 days for breaching a remission order.
Radika pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including methamphetamine consumption and offering a bribe to a public servant.
Court documents stated that Radika had a history of drug-related convictions dating back to 2018. Her most recent prior conviction was in 2020, when she was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail for methamphetamine use.
Upon her release in June 2022, she was placed under a remission order and a five-year drug supervision programme. The remission order was valid from 18 June 2022 to 24 September 2023, requiring her to remain offence-free.
However, she failed to attend mandatory urine tests from August 2022 and was arrested on 4 October that year.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Emily Koh told the court that Radika was permitted to smoke a few cigarettes after her arrest before she was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle.
While en route to the Police Cantonment Complex, she asked officers for a final cigarette but was refused. She then offered them a bribe of S$1,000 in exchange for being allowed to smoke. The officers rejected the offer.
Despite being released on bail later that day, she was arrested again on 29 July 2023 for drug consumption. Subsequent urine tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.
Radika was charged on 31 July 2023 and granted bail again but continued to miss scheduled urine tests and failed to appear in court in October 2023. A warrant was issued, and she was re-arrested in December 2024.
Under Section 5 of Singapore’s Prevention of Corruption Act, offering a bribe to a public servant carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.
