BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): The case involving a syndicated family drugs ring dubbed the ‘Musang King’ is awaiting trial dates to be fixed by the High Court.
On Monday (Jan 30), Magistrate Pengiran Masni Bahar gave a ruling in the preliminary inquiries for two of the charges carrying the death penalty against all of the defendants.
After going through the inquiries involving 237 documents and 51 exhibits, the court heard that the defendants are reserving their defence for the High Court.
The defendants – Ahmadi Tamit and his wife Maskunah Wahab, their children Isamuddin, Mohammad Saifuddin and Siti Izzatul Munirah and her husband Jakaria Ahad – are charged with two offences under Chapter 27, Section 3A of the Misuse of Drugs Act carrying the death penalty.
The defendants are alleged to have in possession 18.9943 kilogrammes of methylamphetamine for trafficking. The drugs were found in the vicinity of a Jalan Junjongan house.
Allegations include them possessing 532.44 grammes of methylamphetamine in bottles. The defendants live in houses in the area.
Isamuddin also faces one charge of possessing 54.1 grammes of methylamphetamine inside a plastic bag in the vicinity of a house at Jalan Junjongan.
The offence carries between 20 and 30 years’ imprisonment with mandatory whipping of 15 strokes.
Siti Izzatul Munirah and Jakaria are also charged with possessing proceeds of crime under Section 3 of the Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012 amounting to BND80,000 to over BND100,000.
They are also charged with concealing the ownership of a vehicle by registering it under a third party’s name.
Siti Izzatul Munirah also faces a charge of possessing over 50 gold jewellery items allegedly proceeds of crime.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Hajah Suriana binti Haji Radin, Dayangku Didi-Nuraza Pengiran Abdul Latiff and prosecutors Khalillah Hussin, Kamal Ariffin Ismail and Syafina Abdul Hadzid represent the Public Prosecutor in the case.
Defence counsel Daud Ismail is representing Isamuddin.
