Duo escape gallows after High Court acquits them of drug charges

MUAR: A businessman and his fisherman friend escaped the death penalty after the High Court here acquitted and discharged them of four drug-related charges on Wednesday (Oct 12).

Justice Abu Bakar Katar ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove that Mohd Ruzaini Samingan, 37, and his friend Roszaimi Roslan, 34, had possession of the drugs.

However, Mohd Ruzaini was fined RM5,000 for consuming drugs believed to be methamphetamine. He paid the fine.

According to the first charge, the two were charged with trafficking 3.2kg of methamphetamine at Tali Air, Sg Koris in Tanjung Laboh in Batu Pahat at 7.20pm on Jan 16 2018.

They were also charged with possession of other drugs including heroin and nimetazepam.

They faced charges under Section 39B(1)(a) (trafficking), Section 15(1)(a) (consumption Mohd Ruzaini only) and Section 12(2) (possession) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.

A total of 15 witnesses testified during the trial.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Jasmee Hameeza Jaafar and Lim Jin Hong while the accused were represented by counsel Manian K. Marappan and Harpreet Kaur Gill.