Two more alleged members of Sabah's biggest drug cartel charged

KOTA KINABALU: Two more people linked to what has been described as Sabah's biggest drug cartel have been charged with being members of an organised criminal group.

Norsyafilah Pawawoi, 28, and Zulkahar Dusing, 29, both said to be members of the so-called Geng Upik, were charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code in the Sessions Court here on Friday (March 1).

Norsyafilah was accused of being a gang member between 2015 and July 28, 2016 and Zulhakar, between 2021 and May 3 last year.

However, no plea was recorded from both accused, who were not represented.

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If convicted, the accused face between five and 20 years behind bars.

Norsyafilah has been serving a 12-year jail term since 2018 for a drug trafficking offence, while Zulhakar is under remand in east coast Tawau district.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Lina Hanini Ismail applied for the court to set a date for mention of the case and submission of documents as well as for case management to be transferred to the High Court.

Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim subsequently set March 22 for next mention.

On Jan 22, a Datuk who is the patron of a non-governmental organisation, a franchise business owner and two policemen were among 11 people charged over their alleged involvement in Geng Upik.

Pakat Sabah Malaysia patron Datuk Maslan Sani, 41, businessman Nelson Yee Yen Chung, former Tawau CID officer Insp Rahman Buriin, 44, and General Operations Force personnel Sjn Jaisalfian Jaineh @ Zaini, 45, were charged under Section 130V (1) of the Penal Code with being members of the criminal organisation.

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Others facing similar charges are Mohd Fauzie Rablin, 33; Shahlan Shah Abdul Samad, 37; Mohd Faridzul Asmahadi, 31; Fazrul Bahar, 32; Alkan Abraham, 35; Mazlan Mahmud, 41; and Mahathir Jibarail, 49.

No plea was recorded following the charges against the 11 men before Sessions Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim, who set Friday for case mention.

All 11, said to be members of Geng Upik, were accused of being involved with organised crime at different times between early 2015 and Dec 24 last year.

The court had also set March 22 as the next hearing date after an application by DPP Siti Hajah Mat Radzi and arguments by defence lawyers.