Two Indonesian fishermen have been charged in court over allegations of trafficking 147.2kg of methamphetamine in the waters off Teluk Kumbar, Bayan Lepas, two weeks ago.
The charges were read in Malay before Magistrate Chia Huey Ting against the two accused, identified as Junaidi, 51, and Irfansyah, 30.
However, only Irfansyah indicated that he understood the charges, while Junaidi told the court that he could not understand them as he only understood an Indonesian native language.
Their lawyer Datuk Naran Singh then explained the details of the charges to Junaidi, who later confirmed that he understood the allegations.
The first charge stated that both men, from Aceh, Indonesia, were accused of trafficking 113.776kg of methamphetamine, while the second charge involved trafficking 33.412kg of liquid methamphetamine.
The alleged offence was committed at the GPS location Lat: 05 degrees 07.045 N Long: 100 degrees 14.063 E in the waters of Teluk Kumbar, Bayan Lepas, at about 7.15pm on July 17.
They were charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, the accused may face the death penalty or life imprisonment and no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane if the death sentence is not imposed.
No plea was recorded from either accused as cases under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to Naran, only Junaidi possessed a valid passport, while Irfansyah did not have one.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Sofi Jaafar did not offer bail for both accused, while the court fixed Sept 30 for the submission of the chemical report before the case proceeds to the High Court.
Previously, the Penang Marine Police Force (PPM) Region 1 foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs and electronic cigarettes containing suspected methamphetamine liquid worth nearly RM6 million to Indonesia.
The seizure was made during an operation in the southern waters of Pulau Rimau on July 17, where authorities intercepted the suspects’ fibre boat following a 30-minute chase at sea.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said police discovered 113.7kg of suspected methamphetamine worth RM5.7 million hidden in a concealed compartment at the front of the boat.
