- Advertisement -
News

Ex-diplomat, son charged with drug trafficking

The charge was framed under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence.

Bernama
2 minute read
Share
Former diplomat Zainal Abidin Alia and his son Mohamed Rizal have been charged with trafficking 1,020g of cannabis in Pahang last month. Photo: AFP
Former diplomat Zainal Abidin Alia and his son Mohamed Rizal have been charged with trafficking 1,020g of cannabis in Pahang last month. Photo: AFP

A former diplomat and his son were charged at the Bentong Magistrate’s Court today with trafficking ganja or cannabis and possessing cannabis oil two weeks ago.

Zainal Abidin Alia, 78, and Mohamed Rizal, 53, were jointly charged with trafficking 1,020g of cannabis at a house in Kampung Sum Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang at about 6.10pm on May 21.

The charge was framed under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence.

No plea was recorded as the case entered the jurisdiction of the High Court after the charges against them were read before magistrate Shahrul Ekhsan Hasim.

Father and son claimed trial after they were also jointly charged under Section 9 (1)(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 with having in their possession 60 millilitres of cannabis oil, an offence punishable under Section 9(2) of the same act, at the same place and time.

They face imprisonment of up to five years, a maximum fine of RM20,000 or both, upon conviction.

Rizal also faced a third charge of misusing tetrahydrocannabinol at the narcotics office of the Bentong district police headquarters at 8.40pm on May 23.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 15 (1) of the same act.

If convicted, Rizal faces a maximum fine of RM5,000, jail of up to two years and supervision for up to three years.

Pahang prosecution director Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim and deputy public prosecutors Hayda Faridzal Abu Hassan and S Punitha prosecuted the case while lawyers Rahmad Hazlan, Tania Scivetti and Kamil Azman represented the accused.

The prosecution offered no bail as the charge under Section 39B is a non-bailable offence.

The court fixed June 13 for mention.