Duo's drug trafficking trial begins

KOTA KINABALU: The High Court here yesterday began hearing the case of two men charged with trafficking in 293.04 grams of syabu.

The accused persons, Tan Chun Cheng, 41, and Tan Choon Hui, 39, who appeared before Justice Datuk Nurchaya Hj Arshad, were both charged under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence, upon conviction.

In his opening address, deputy public prosecutor, Gan Peng Kun, told the court that the prosecution will adduce evidence from a police team that had stopped a Perodua Myvi car in front of United Overseas Trading Sdn Bhd in Towering Industrial Centre, Penampang at 5 pm on December 19, 2016.

There were two men inside the car, namely, Tan Chun Cheng, who was the driver and Tan Choon Hui, who was a passenger in the front seat.

When police examined the car underneath the front passenger seat, a black plastic bag was found with a plastic packet inside containing some crystalline substance that was kept inside a box.

Gan went on to say that further evidence will be adduced to show that the substance was sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis and that the result showed that the substance was 293.04 grams of methamphetamine.

The prosecution, he said, will also lead evidence to show that the car belonged to (Tan Chun) Cheng and that the totality of the evidence will irresistibly point to a conclusion that both accused had in furtherance of common intention trafficked in the said drugs.

Counsels PJ Perira and Ariel Dasan acted for both accused.

The trial continues today.