Eleven friends, including two underage teens, have been brought to the Magistrates’ Court in Johor Baru and charged with the distribution of over 19.4kg of drugs. The accused individuals, namely Yek Zhu Jie, Tan Chee Seng, How Jia Lerk, Kenny Loo Yee Han, Ooi Zhi Wei, and Chong Chew Nam, were presented before the court on Monday, October 2nd. They have collectively faced three counts of drug distribution charges.
In addition to these individuals, Eva Chua Min, Phang Jing Yi, Goh Yoong Cheng, and two 17-year-old youths face the same charges. The group is accused of distributing approximately 18,881g of MDMA, 558g of ketamine, and 52g of nimetazepam at a house in Jalan Bukit Skudai 6, Taman Bukit Skudai in Johor Baru at around 2am on September 23rd.
The charges were read to them in Mandarin with the assistance of a court interpreter. They have been charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a punishment under Section 39B(2) of the same Act.
If convicted, the accused could face either a death sentence or lifetime imprisonment. If not sentenced to death, they could also receive a minimum of 15 whippings as a penalty. No plea was recorded during the court proceedings, and Magistrate A. Shaarmini has scheduled November 2nd for a mention and the submission of chemical reports.
Due to a specific provision in the Act, bail was not granted to the accused individuals.The prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutor Shamira Mohd Luthfi Ismail. Several of the accused individuals, including How, were represented by defense lawyers Chew Pong Him, Datin Freda Sabapathy, and Muhammad Mohd Nasir.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
