Man, Thai woman charged with drug offences released on bail

MIRI: A Sarawakian man and a Thai woman were released on bail after being charged in the Magistrate's Court here yesterday with drug possession.

Ling Kwong Eing, 26, from Jalan Batu Kitang in Kuching and Rattanapron Dangsakul, 25, were charged under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 punishable under Section 12(3) of the same act and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

The section carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a maximum jail term of five years, or both, upon conviction.

They are accused of possessing methamphetamine weighing 0.84 grammes at 9.50am on Sept 6 at a house in Jalan Permaisuri 2C here.

Prosecuting officer ASP Mary Ong filed for a new date for further mention of the case pending a chemist report.

Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa granted the application and set Oct 5 for further mention.

The magistrate granted Ling and Rattanapron bail of RM2,000 and RM3,500 respectively with two local sureties, and also ordered the latter to surrender her passport.

The Thai national also faces a second charge under Section 15(1)(a) of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug abuse, which carries a fine up to RM5,000 or two years' jail upon conviction.

Under the charge, she is also to be supervised by an officer as defined under Section 2 of the Drug Dependent ( Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 for a term not less than two years and not exceeding three years under Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

She is accused of abusing methamphetamine after testing positive for the drug at the office of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division here at 11.30am on Sept 6.

The court also set Oct 5 for further mention pending a chemist report. For the second charge, Rattanapron was granted bail of RM1,500 with two local sureties pending the date.