THREE FRIENDS ACQUITTED OF DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGE

SEREMBAN, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The High Court here today discharged and acquitted three friends of a drug trafficking charge, involving 227.6 grams of heroin and monoacetylmorphine, allegedly committed five years ago.

Judge Datuk Rohani Ismail made the ruling after finding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against three men, who are all mechanics - K. Kavirvarman, 29; N. Gobinath, 30; and S. Dinesh Kumar, 32.

According to the charge, the three were jointly accused of trafficking dangerous drugs, namely 174.8 grams of heroin and 52.8 grams of monoacetylmorphine, in the back alley of a shop at Dataran Sentral, here, at about 2.30 pm on July 3, 2020.

The charge was framed 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, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, a minimum of 15 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Khairunnisa Hazwani Omar appeared for the prosecution, while Kavirvarman was represented by lawyers S. Kartikeyan and M. Gopinathan. Gobinath and Dinesh Kumar were represented by Datuk K.L. Chee.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Kartikeyan and Gopinathan said that their client, who hails from Johor Bahru, had received strong support from his family throughout the trial.

“When he was charged, his father often travelled back and forth to attend court hearings. However, about two years ago, his father died of old age. The accused was unable to pay his last respects, and was deeply affected by the loss,” said Kartikeyan.

-- BERNAMA