SIBU: The High Court here today (April 30) ordered a businessman to enter his defence to a charge of drug trafficking.
Justice Wong Siong Tung said having heard the evidence of the witnesses called by the prosecution and submissions by the prosecution and defense counsels, the Court was of the view that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused.
“Therefore, the Court calls upon the accused to enter his defence to the charge,” he asserted.
When given three options to make his defence, the accused chose to give evidence under oath.
Justice Wong set aside two days for case hearing from May 23.
Iqhwan Syahmie Mohamad, 28, was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, to wit, 2,206 grams of cannabis at a house in Permai Jaya at about 11.30 pm on Jan 4 last year.
The offence is framed under Section 39B(1)(A)of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under subsection 39B(2) of the same Act, which upon conviction, provides for a death sentence or life imprisonment and if not sentenced to death, be punished with whipping of not less than 12 strokes.
Earlier in his submission, the prosecution handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto pointed out that the conduct of the accused in handing over the vape bottles to the police and then informing them that it has a cannabis “kick” effect when inhaled.
He said the accused provided the police with information which led to the discovery of dried plant materials which were subsequently chemically analysed and found to contain 2,206 grams of cannabis type drugs.
The prosecution had called up eight witnesses including the accused’s wife to testify against the accused who was represented by legal counsel, Augustine Liom and Leong Lu Fei.
