KUALA LUMPUR: A teenager who had been in custody for more than three years walked free after being acquitted of a drug trafficking charge by the High Court here today.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 against the 17-year-old boy and Nor Malia Awang Man, his co-accused.
They were charged with trafficking more than 6.5kg of methamphetamine at Wangsa Maju three years ago.
Following the decision, the duo were seen hugging family members present in court, as well as their lawyers, Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar and Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli.
However, Azhar ordered another co-accused, Jafri Hussain, to enter his defence on a charge of trafficking methamphetamine after holding that the prosecution had made out a prima facie case against him.
Jafri is liable to be sentenced to death if convicted of the offence.
The judge explained that Jafri had three options available to him and asked how he wanted to defend himself.
“You can either give evidence under oath at the witness stand, give your statement from the dock, or remain silent,” he said.
Jafri elected to testify under oath.
His lawyer, Vijey Esvaren, told the court that the defence would be ready to proceed on Thursday and that Jafri and another witness will be called to testify.
The judge directed the defence to commence with its case tomorrow.
The prosecution is represented by deputy public prosecutor Goh Ai Rene.
The boy, then 14 years old, and six others were arrested by police in 2020 after a raid conducted at several locations in the Klang Valley.
Police said they seized drugs worth RM743,400 and two vehicles. - FMT
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