Dec trial for man over four drug charges

KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court here yesterday maintained the trial date on December 3-6 this year of a case of a ride-hailing transportation service driver who faces four charges of possessing drugs.

Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim made the decision on Lee Eng Kian, 43, when the case came up for case management, yesterday.

On the first charge, Lee together with another person, who is still at large, allegedly possessed 40.14 grams of 4-Methylenedioxyamp hetamine (MMDA) at the Api-Api Apartment here at 2.45pm on January 4.

The alleged offence is framed under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39A(2) of the same Act.

The indictment provides for life imprisonment or a jail term of not less than five years and whipping of not less than 10 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

On the second to the fourth charges, he allegedly possessed 15.88 grams of Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), 3.50 grams of Ketamine and 0.02grams of Nimetazepam, respectively at the same time and place.

The alleged offences are framed under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 12 (3) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Dinesh Raja acted for the prosecution while the accused was represented by counsel Kimberly Ye and Aaron Mah, who stood in for counsel Ram Singh.

Lee is further detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.