Scrap metal trader charged with distributing 596.5kg of methamphetamine
TAIPING: A 38-year-old scrap metal trader was charged at the Magistrates Court here today with distributing 596.5kg of methamphetamine on Jan 12.
K. Thinagaran was accused of committing the offence at the parking area of the Taiping rest and recreation (R&R) area at Km231of the North-South Expressway on Jan 12.
He was charged under Section 39(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act which carries the mandatory death penalty.
No plea was recorded.
Prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Azrul Faidz Abd Razak, while the accused was represented by lawyer Charan Singh.
Magistrate Mohd Hairol Jemain did not allow bail and fixed April 1 for re-mention.
On Jan 14, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun told a press conference that a container loaded with more than half a tonne of syabu was seized by Narcotics Department policemen on Saturday and was believed to be on its way to Penang Port at the time.
Fuzi said a portion of the drugs was to be shipped overseas via the port and three people had been arrested.
“The first arrest, that of the 40-year-old driver, was made at the Taiping rest area (of the North-South Expressway).
“It was there that the syabu was seized.
“In follow-up raids, we arrested a 49-year-old man in Ipoh and a 39-year-old at the Bidor toll plaza.
“Apart from the lorry, we also seized a four-wheel-drive vehicle and RM1,768,” he said at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. -NSTP
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