8 claim trial to drugs found in KL hotel room

 Two Malaysians and six foreign nationals plead not guilty to possessing ketamine and MDMA found in a hotel room on Sunday.

Magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri allowed bail of RM6,000 each for the two Malaysians but refused bail for the six foreign nationals. (Reuters pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Eight men claimed trial at the magistrates’ court today to charges of possessing ketamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) found in a hotel room here in the early hours of Sunday.

Two Malaysians and six foreign nationals pleaded not guilty to two charges each before magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri, Berita Harian reported.

The two Malaysians were Ivan Wong Yi Xian, 24, and Chong King Jun, 36. The six foreign nationals were identified as Jensen Soh Kah Yi, 34; Lam Hoi Leung, 30; Hendry Gunawan, 28; Tang Waei, 41; Tran Quang Ha, 26; and Yeo Wei Seng, 37.

On the first charge, all eight were jointly accused of possessing 1.5g of ketamine in a hotel room at 4am on May 24.

On the second charge, they were jointly accused of possessing 0.7g of MDMA at the same location and time.

Both charges were framed under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Each charge carries a maximum fine of RM100,000, up to five years in jail, or both upon conviction.

Izzah allowed bail of RM6,000 each for the two Malaysians. Bail was denied for the six foreign nationals.

Lawyer Roshivinder Singh of the National Legal Aid Foundation appeared for the two Malaysians, while a separate counsel represented the six foreign nationals.

Aug 27 was fixed for case mention and document submission. - FMT