Kota Kinabalu: A self-employed man who was charged with two counts of trafficking cannabis was ordered to enter his defence.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Amelati Parnell made the order against Leslie Loh Teck Cheon, 31.
Amelati ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Loh and ordered him to enter his defence for both charges.
The court fixed Sept 14-15 for Loh’s defence. Loh was accused of trafficking 259.4gm of cannabis at 6.30pm on Sept 29, 2020 year at Lorong Bundusan Centre 2-2, Penampang.
On the second count, Loh allegedly trafficked 515gm of cannabis at 7pm on Sept 29, 2020 at the Kaya Ria Enterprise, Bundusan Commercial Centre, Penampang.
Each charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act carries the death sentence or imprisonment for life and whipping not less than 15 strokes if not sentenced to death, on conviction.
The prosecution had called six witnesses at the prosecution’s stage which commenced on Nov 23, 2022 before closing its case on Feb 17, this year.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Azreen Yas Mohamad Ramli prosecuted while Loh was represented by counsel Luke Ressa Balang.
Pending the continuation of trial date, Loh was ordered to be remanded further as the charge against him has no provision for bail.
In another case, a contractor who fraudulently had RM14,060 deposited into his bank account last year was fined RM400 by the Magistrate’s Court.
Charles Brayner, 39, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie to four counts of having the money belonging to Micellinus Manuil in his CIMB Bank account in which he failed to give a satisfactory explanation on how he obtained them on Sept 22, 2022.
The offence under Section 22A (1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance, provides a fine of up to RM100 or up to three months jail or both, on conviction.
Charles admitted to having the transaction of RM300 at 10.21am, RM3,880 at 12.29pm, RM3,880 at 2.50pm, and RM6,000 at 6.15pm in his bank account as well as RM4,500 on April 15, RM9,000 on May 20, RM9,000 on May 20, RM13,500 on April 19, RM15,750 on April 14, RM27,000 on April 14, RM4,500 on April 15, RM35,100 on April 22-26 and RM10,377 on July 5 in his bank account.
Stephanie ordered Charles to pay RM100 fine or a week’s jail on each count.
Inspector Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit prosecuted.
