The Federal Court on Wednesday upheld the 30-year prison sentence and 16 strokes of the cane imposed on a Ukrainian national for trafficking 24.753kg of methamphetamine in a parking area four years ago.
A three-judge panel comprising Justices Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, Datuk Lee Swee Seng and Datuk P. Ravinthran unanimously dismissed the appeal by Akahimo, also known as Akanimo, against both his conviction and sentence.
According to the charge, Akahimo, 48, a former nightclub manager, committed the offence at the parking area of a restaurant along Jalan C180/1, Dataran C180/1, Batu 11, Hulu Langat, Selangor, at about 6pm on May 24, 2022.
He was initially charged alongside three others, who were later acquitted by the High Court.
On June 26, 2024, the High Court found him guilty and sentenced him to 30 years’ imprisonment and 16 strokes of the cane, with the sentence backdated to his arrest date on May 24, 2022.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the conviction on June 19 last year.
Based on the facts of the case, officers from the Selangor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department conducted surveillance in the area before spotting a Mercedes-Benz arriving at the location, followed by a Toyota Vios, with both vehicles stopping nearby.
The appellant was seen exiting the front passenger seat of the Mercedes-Benz and walking towards a nearby Proton Bezza. The Mercedes-Benz driver allegedly lowered the window and used a remote control device to unlock the Proton Bezza.
Police observed Akahimo retrieving a brown box from the Proton Bezza before officers moved in and arrested all suspects as they attempted to flee.
Checks on the box revealed tea packets containing plastic packages filled with suspected drugs.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Akahimo was represented by counsel Sivahnanthan Ragava, while the prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutors Iznina Hanim Hashim and Siti Rafidah Zainuddin.
