SIBU: A married couple believed to be the masterminds behind a major drug trafficking syndicate were charged in the Magistrates’ Court here today with multiple counts of drug trafficking and possession of dangerous drugs.
However, no plea was taken after the charges against them were read and explained to them by an interpreter in Foochow dialect.
The male accused, Tie Teck Hock, 52, from Jalan Bukit Assek here was charged with trafficking in 1,030.80 grammes of methamphetamine at a sidewalk near a coffeeshop along Jalan Pedada on Jun 12, at about 10:00 pm.
He is facing another charge of trafficking in 6,055.9 grammes of methamphetamine with his wife, Lee Chee Fei, 44, at a house in Permai Jaya, on June 12 at about 10:45 pm.
Both offences framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 provide for a death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, be punished with whipping of not less than 12 strokes.
Both accused were also charged with possessing 2,078.9 grammes of ketamine at a house in Permai Jaya on June 12, at about 10:45 pm.
Another charge against them stated that they had in their possession dangerous drugs of 2,022.15 grammes of nimetazepam, at a house in Perma Jaya on June 12, at about 10:45 pm.
Botn offences were listed under Section 12(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which upon conviction, carries a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or five years’ imprisonment or both.
Magistrate Oon Kork Chern scheduled the case for further mention on August 22 pending a chemist report on drugs.
Meanwhile, he ordered them to be further remanded in prison custody as the offence is non-bailable.
The case was prosecuted by DPP Nuralisa Natasha while both accused were represented by Reena Chong.
According to earlier reports, the couple’s arrest followed a series of raids conducted by the Sibu District Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) on June 12 and 13.
The operations were carried out near a shop in Pusat Pedada and at two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya.
The raids led to the seizure of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of RM532,934.40.
The narcotics haul included 7,086.7 grammes of syabu, 2,078.9 grams of ketamine, and 2,022.6 grammes of Erimin 5 pills.
Police, apart from confiscating RM5,157,450 in cash, also seized four gold bars, two gold chains, two Rolex watches, and three vehicles.
Police investigations showed that the couple are the main operators of a drug syndicate that has been active in Sibu since 2015.
