Jobless man faces two drug trafficking charges

MIRI: An unemployed man was yesterday charged in a magistrates’ court here with trafficking a dangerous drug methamphetamine.

Tay Hock Cheh, 25, from Lorong 9, Taman Tunku was charged under Section 39B (1) (A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act ( DDA) 1952, which is punishable under Section 39 (2) of the same Act.

The Section provides for the death penalty or life in prison, and 15 strokes of the rotan.

Based on the charge, Tay allegedly trafficked 52.17 grams of methamphetamine at 6am on April 18, at a house in Lite Avenue, Jalan Sze Chuan 2, off Jalan Airport here.

Prosecuting officer Insp Mohd Khairi Mohd Noor applied for a new date to be set for further mention of the case as the chemist report was not ready.

Magistrate Md Syafique Md Hilmie then set May 28 for further mention of the case.

As the case is a non- bailable offence, Tay was ordered to be further detained while awaiting the date.

Meanwhi le, Tay was also charged in the Sessions Court here under Section 12 ( 2) of the DDA 1952, which is punishable under Section 39A (2) of the same Act, for trafficking dangerous drug 3, 4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

The Section provides for life imprisonment or not less than five years in prison and not less than 10 strokes of the rotan.

According to the charge, he allegedly trafficked 47.56 grams of 3, 4-MDMA on April 18 at the same time and place.

Judge Steve Ritikos set May 15 for further mention of the case while awaiting the chemist report on the case exhibits.

Tay was not offered bail and ordered to be further detained under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code while awaiting the date.

ASP Koay Kok Ping prosecuted the case, whi le Tay was not represented by any counsel.