Former FHM model arrested for suspected drug use

Text: Shah Salimat
Photo: Celestina Tiew's Facebook fan page

Model Celestina Tiew, 22, was arrested last Tuesday for suspected drug use at Dakota Crescent. The winner of 2009's FHM Girl Next Door contest was arrested with two other suspects believed to be her male friend and another mutual male friend.

Local reports suggest that three packets of the drugs Ice and Ecstasy as well as $7,000 cash were found in a black BMW car during the arrest. After a previous report of the incident in Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao was released, Celestina took to her Twitter account and said, "Why write rubbish when you know nothing?! (sic)" amongst other tweets about the incident.

In a statement to a local newspaper, Celestina said that her male friend was driving her home when he stopped briefly at a Dakota Crescent carpark to meet his friend. Just after leaving the carpark, they were stopped by the police before Celestina's friend was flustered and struggled with the policemen. Upon inspection of the car and discovery of the drugs and cash, Celestina and the two male suspects were arrested.

She is now awaiting the results of her urine test. According to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), one man has been released unconditionally in relations to the arrests. Celestina has not updated her blog and Instagram account since the arrest but tweeted, "I'll keep my blog alive as long as I can". Twitter users have been sending her messages of encouragement since news broke. She tweeted recently, "So hard to pretend that i'm not hurt, that i don't care, that i'm not affected. I want to be seen as cheerful before leaving (sic)."

If found guilty of drug use, Celestina could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in jail, a maximum fine of $20,000 or both. Celestina Tiew won the FHM Girl Next Door contest on May 29, 2009. She beat nine other girls in the finals held at megaclub Zirca. She won $800 cash and the opportunity to be the cover girl for the July 2009 issue.

HAVE YOUR SAY: What are your thoughts on the case? Sign in and post your comments below.