THE Ipoh High Court today acquitted and discharged a married couple, Yong Shin Haw, 48, and his wife, Felicia Diong Chew Li, 38, on three counts of drug trafficking.
Judge Abdul Wahab Mohamed ordered their release, concluding that the defence successfully raised reasonable doubts against the prosecution’s case.
On the first count, the couple faced charges of trafficking 1,458.3 grams of methamphetamine at a house in PSRN Setia 2, Setia Residen, Kg. Selamat, Sitiawan, on February 24, 2020.
This charge was brought under section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same law. It is also read in conjunction with section 34 of the Penal Code, which mandates the death sentence upon conviction.
For the two other charges, the couple was accused under section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, in conjunction with section 34 of the Penal Code.
The charges involved trafficking 8.41gm of heroin, 1.48gm of monoacetylmorphine, and 42.5gm of methylenedioxymethamphetamine at the same location and time.
The prosecution was led by DPP Liyana Zawani Mohd Radz, while the couple was represented by lawyers S. Selvam and T. Gayathrie.
However, Yong was found guilty of an offense under section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for possessing 11.38gm of methamphetamine at the same location and on the same date.
Abdul Wahab sentenced him to five years in prison, with the term starting from the date of his arrest on February 24, 2020. Additionally, he is to receive three strokes of the cane.
