By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Dec 3: A 43-year-old man was acquitted of drug trafficking charges involving 7.6 kilogrammes of methamphetamine by the Kuching High Court, following a four-year legal battle.
Judge Alexander Siew How Wai ordered Lai Meng Sun’s release, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
As a result, Lai was discharged and acquitted without needing to present a defense.
The charges stemmed from an incident on July 29, 2020, at 12.45pm at the International Arrival Hall of Kuching International Airport (KIA).
Lai was accused of carrying drugs under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment with whipping upon conviction.
The court heard that Lai had arrived at KIA on a flight from Johor when Royal Malaysian Customs officers flagged his luggage for further inspection after spotting suspicious images during a scanner check.
A detailed search revealed ten aluminum-foil-wrapped packages containing crystal substances suspected to be methamphetamine, valued at an estimated RM405,040.
During the trial, Lai maintained he was unaware of the bag’s contents, claiming it was handed to him at the airport by a friend who had also been on the same flight.
The friend was said to have packed the bag and included clothing belonging to two other individuals, as confirmed by DNA evidence presented in court.
The trial, which began on Sept 26, 2022, involved testimony from 13 witnesses.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syazwani Zawawi represented the prosecution, while Lai was defended by court-appointed lawyer Timothy Finlayson Joel.
Judge Siew emphasised that the prosecution’s evidence lacked the necessary weight to prove the case against Lai beyond reasonable doubt, leading to his acquittal. — DayakDaily
