By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Feb 22: A self-employed man today claimed trial to a charge of trafficking 7,662.5 grams of methamphetamine.
Lai Meng Sun, 39, pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Acts 1952.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Alexander Siew How Wai fixed February 22 for further mention of the case and April 21 for pre-trial case management.
The accused was accused of trafficking 7,662.5 grams of methamphetamine, at the international arrival hall of Kuching International Airport (KIA), at about 12.45pm on July 29, 2020.
He was charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Acts 1952 and punishable under subsection 39B(2) of the same Act, which carries a death sentence of imprisonment for life and whipping of not less than 15 strokes, upon conviction.
According to a press release by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, on July 29, while the accused arrived at KIA from Johor, he was detained following a detailed inspection by the Customs Department on his luggage.
During the inspection, ten packages wrapped with aluminium foil and crystalised substance believed to be methamphetamine was found, with a gross weight of 10,126 grams and an estimated street price of RM405,040.
DPP Musli Ab. Hamid prosecuted while the accused is represented by assigned counsel Timothy Finlayson Joel. — DayakDaily
