KUCHING: The High Court here today discharged and acquitted five individuals of trafficking 42.2kg of methamphetamine back in October 2023, after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against them.
Judge Datuk Leonard Sim made the ruling at the end of the prosecution’s case after finding that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant the five accused being called to enter their defence.
The five were Shirley Toh Mee Yee, Matthew Chin Yun Onn, Dellon Jong Wei Hong, Alan Lim Ing Tack and Queenie Chang Lee Pin.
They had been charged with trafficking 42.2kg of methamphetamine at a hotel near Jalan Nanas here on October 12, 2023 at 12:30 pm here, allegedly acting in furtherance of their common intention.
The charge was framed under the Section 39(B) Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
During the trial, the prosecution called a total of 15 witnesses to testify.
The five had previously been reported to have been arrested when they were aged between 17 and 22.
The seized 42.2kg of syabu was reported to have an estimated street value of RM1.4 million.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Mohd Fillany Siji, appeared for the prosecution.
Shirley, Dellon and Queenie were represented by counsel Alex Kong, Tiong Ing Neng and Patrick Voon, together with pupil-in-chambers, Amarprit Singh.
Matthew was represented by counsel, Steven Beti and Gerald Empaling Donald, while Alan was represented by counsel, Lim Lian Kee.
