GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here today sentenced three men, including two Iranians, to death by hanging after they were found guilty of trafficking drugs, four years ago.
Judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir also discharged and acquitted a woman, who was named as the fourth accused.
J. Balakrishnan, 63, two Iranians – Mohammad Abbasi Younes, 37 and Seyed Mohsen Namazikivi Seyedreza, 31 – and B. Lacheme Devi, 56, were alleged to have been making preparations for trafficking drugs weighing 48,000 gm at No. 57B, Perindustrian Kecil, Taman Sri Rambai, Seberang Perai Tengah, at 10.10pm on Aug 20, 2015.
They were busted during a raid by the special narcotics intelligence team (STING).
All four were charged under Section 39B(1) (c) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and were punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same act, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutors Farah Aimy Zainul Anwar and Nurul Fatin Hussin prosecuted; while M. Athimulan represented Balakrishnan and Kitson Foong represented Mohammad Abbasi and Seyed Mohsen.
Lacheme was represented by RSN Rayer.
In delivering his decision, Akhtar said that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case involving the three accused.
“I am convinced that the three men had the common intention of manufacturing the drugs at the premises.
“However, I am doubtful that the fourth accused had the knowledge that drugs were being processed at the premises,” he said.
Akhtar said her absence from the premises during the raid also went towards raising reasonable doubt over her knowledge of the activity being carried out at the premises.
A total of 14 witnesses testified during the five-month trial of the case.
