HIGH COURT ACQUITS CLUB SINGER OF COCAINE TRAFFICKING CHARGE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- A 29-year-old club singer was acquitted and discharged by the High Court here today of a charge of trafficking about 400 grammes of cocaine with three others in 2023.

Judge Noor Ruwena Mohd Nordin made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Emily Leo at the close of the prosecution’s case.

In her judgment, Noor Ruwena held that although the prosecution stated that the drugs were discovered inside the house, the court found no clear evidence linking the accused to the substances or proving that she had control over them.

“Thus, the court acquits and discharges the third accused (Emily), while the other three accused are ordered to enter their defence,” she said.

Emily, who had been under remand since 2023, broke down in tears after the decision was delivered.

She was jointly charged with three other individuals with trafficking about 400 grammes of cocaine at a residence in Brickfields here on Nov 23, 2023.

The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.

Emily was represented by lawyers Sivahnanthan Ragava and Cyrus Tiu Foo Woei, while Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Shahrizzat Amadan conducted the prosecution.

-- BERNAMA