By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Oct 11: In a recent development regarding a drug trafficking case involving two men, the charge against the first accused has been dismissed, resulting in his discharge and acquittal from the cannabis trafficking charge.
The case will now proceed with the second accused awaiting further legal proceedings in the High Court.
Both accused, Ashraff Aiman Bakri (the first accused) and Mohd Nazrin Mohd Daud (the second accused), were initially charged with trafficking 996.3 grammes of cannabis.
The charge against Ashraff Aiman Bakri was dismissed after the Custom Department’s Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) accepted his representation.
The case came to public attention when it was mentioned for remand in Magistrate Court 2, presided over by Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi, on March 31, 2023 at the parking lot of Poslaju Kuching Utara, Taman Lee Ling.
Following the hearing, both accused were remanded at Puncak Borneo Prison, pending the confirmation of the chemist report.
While in remand and awaiting the chemist report, the counsel for the first accused informed the Magistrate Court of their intent to submit a representation, requesting the review and withdrawal of the charges based on newly ascertained facts related to the case.
On Oct 10, 2023, the first accused received news from the Custom Department’s Learned DPP that his representation had been accepted, leading to the dismissal of charges against him.
The second accused’s charge is set to proceed in the High Court following further remand.
It’s worth noting that the prosecution has indicated that the first accused may be called upon to provide evidence on behalf of the prosecution in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The first accused was represented by counsels Haji Osman Ibrahim, Nur Atiqah Kulah, and Ernie Natasha Azman, while the second accused is being represented by counsel Daniel Ling. — DayakDaily
