Car wash owner freed of drug trafficking charge

Justice Wendy Ooi notes that the car where the drugs were found had been used by at least seven other people.

High Court judge Wendy Ooi said there were gaps in the prosecution’s case, mainly its failure to prove that P Vamathevan had possession of the drugs. (File pic)

SHAH ALAM:

 A car wash owner has been acquitted of a drug trafficking charge after the High Court here ruled that the prosecution failed to prove he had control over a car where nearly 96g of methamphetamine was found.

P Vamathevan, 47, was charged with trafficking 95.68g of methamphetamine – a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment and caning.

He was arrested on Dec 13, 2021, in Cheras after police discovered the drugs hidden under the front passenger seat of a Volkswagen Golf he had been driving.

The prosecution said police had been monitoring the area near the Indah Water plant on Jalan Damai Indah when the vehicle arrived.

Officers stopped the car, identified themselves, and asked Vamathevan to step out.

He then handed over a black plastic bag from under the seat, which was later found to contain methamphetamine.

However, Justice Wendy Ooi ruled there was no prima facie case, noting that the car had been used by at least seven other people – and that Vamathevan had only been driving it for about an hour before his arrest.

Seven witnesses were called by the prosecution.

The judge also said there were gaps in the prosecution’s case, mainly its failure to prove the accused had possession of the drugs.

Vamathevan was represented by lawyers Geethan Ram Vincent and Lavinia Raja. - FMT