GEORGE TOWN – A butcher avoided the death penalty after the high court here today acquitted the man of trafficking 59.7kg of cannabis three years ago.
Accused Sahul Hamid Mohd, 44, looked tearful after judge Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid read out the verdict.
Radzi in his judgment said the prosecution had failed to prove that the accused was involved in the distribution and possession of the drugs.
“A total of nine witnesses were called by the prosecution regarding the drug trafficking conviction against the accused.
“However, the prosecution failed to bring a material witness (important witness), namely the owner of the Naza Citra MPV vehicle that contained the drugs,” he said.
According to the charge, Sahul Hamid was charged with distributing cannabis weighing 59.7kg at Tesco Extra Sembilang, Seberang Jaya, at 3.15 pm on January 8, 2018.
He was charged under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 15 lashes if convicted.
It is understood that during the incident, Sahul Hamid was found near the Naza Citra MPV, and no witnesses or CCTV footage were found at the scene to prove that the accused was driving and carrying the drugs.
The case was handled by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari and Sahul Hamid was represented by lawyer S. Rethinakumar. – The Vibes, July 30, 2021
