By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Oct 17: Two men aged 27 and 25 were brought before the High Court here today to face charges of trafficking 23.85 kilograms of methamphetamine worth over RM3 million in Kota Sentosa in July this year.
Both accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Judge Dean Wayne Daly.
They were jointly charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment, along with a minimum of 15 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed.
The court fixed November 24, 2025, for pre-trial case management and ordered both accused to remain in custody at Puncak Borneo Prison pending the proceedings.
According to the charge, the alleged offence took place in front of a gold shop at Kota Sentosa around 8.50pm on July 19.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fillanny Siji appeared for the prosecution. The first accused, 27, was represented by lawyers Ralph Lee and Christopher Bada, while court-appointed counsel Gerald Empaling Donald represented the 25-year-old accused, assisted by lawyer Steven Beti.
Earlier, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police launched an operation on July 19 around 8.50pm in collaboration with the Sarawak Police Contingent.
During the raid, officers intercepted a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) believed to be used for drug distribution.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a large black bag containing 80 packets of tea bags filled with crystal-like substances suspected to be methamphetamine, worth an estimated RM3.07 million. — DayakDaily
