A married couple appeared before the Ipoh Magistrates’ Court today to face charges of trafficking about 480.60 grammes of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Bercham earlier this month.
Teoh Wai Loon, 44, and Lim Suk Pei, 38, were accused of committing the offence at about 10.30pm on Aug 4 inside a room at Bercham Bistari 4, Medan Bercham Bistari.
Both accused nodded after the charge was read to them through an interpreter before Magistrate S Punitha. However, no plea was recorded as the charge does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court.
The couple were charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, and punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act.
If convicted, they face the death penalty or life imprisonment. If the death penalty is not imposed, they may also be subjected to at least 12 strokes of whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Zulqarnain Wan Asmira appeared for the prosecution, while both accused were unrepresented.
The prosecution informed the court that no bail was offered and that the case would subsequently be transferred to the High Court for trial.
The court fixed Dec 7 for mention of the case and submission of the chemistry report.
The couple were previously reported to be among seven locals arrested in four separate raids in Ipoh and Tapah, which resulted in the seizure of drugs estimated to be worth more than RM538,000.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin had said all suspects, aged between 22 and 44, were detained during two raids at an entertainment centre in Ipoh and two raids at residential premises in Tapah.
