SIBU: A married couple, believed to be the masterminds behind a major drug trafficking syndicate, claimed trial at the High Court here on Tuesday (Nov 4) to four charges of trafficking and possession of dangerous drugs.
Both accused understood the charges read and explained to them through an interpreter as well as the consequences of maintaining their plea of innocence.
The male accused, Tie Teck Hock, 52, from Jalan Bukit Assek, was charged with trafficking in 700.9g of methamphetamine at a sidewalk near a coffeeshop along Jalan Pedada on June 12 at about 10pm.
He is facing another charge of trafficking in 4,037.8g of methamphetamine with his wife, Lee Chee Fei, 44, at a house in Permai Jaya on June 12 at about 10.45pm.
Both offences, framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, provide for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, punishment by whipping of not less than 12 strokes.
Both accused were also jointly charged with possessing 1,422.2g of ketamine at a house in Permai Jaya on June 12 at about 10.45pm.
Another joint charge stated that they had in their possession 64.4g of Nimetazepam at a house in Permai Jaya on June 12 at about 10.45pm.
Botn offences fall under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and are punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Upon conviction, the offences carry a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or five years’ imprisonment or both.
The couple, represented by legal counsel Ranbir Singh, were ordered to be further remanded in prison custody pending trial on Sept 21, 2026.
The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto before Justice Wong Siong Tung.
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 7,086.7g of syabu, 2,078.9g of ketamine, and 2,022.6g of Erimin 5 pills.
Police also confiscated RM5,157,450 in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, two Rolex watches, and three vehicles.
Investigations revealed that the couple are the main operators of a drug syndicate that has been active in Sibu since 2015.
