12-6-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a case that has drawn attention from both sides of the Causeway, two Singaporean men were charged today in the Johor Bahru Magistrates’ Court with trafficking a staggering 58.6 kilograms of ecstasy on May 29th.
The accused, 49-year-old Tan Xiao Wei and 36-year-old Ee Choong Kiat, appeared before Magistrate R Salini, where the charges were read out to them in Mandarin. No plea was recorded from the defendants, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court, given the severity of the allegations.
According to the charges, the two men are accused of jointly trafficking the massive quantity of ecstasy at Jalan Anjung 8/1, Taman Horizon Hills, Iskandar Puteri, at around 10:30 pm on the night in question.
In addition to the primary charge, Tan Xiao Wei faces four supplementary counts of trafficking and two counts of possession of an assortment of other drugs weighing 13.8 kilograms. These alleged offenses are said to have taken place at a condominium on Jalan Mutiara 7 in Johor Bahru at approximately 6:35 pm.
Ee Choong Kiat, on the other hand, was charged with one count each of trafficking and possession of 100 grams of ecstasy and ketamine. These alleged offenses are reported to have occurred at an apartment on Persiaran Bumi Hijau, Taman Molek, at around 3:40 pm.
The trafficking charges against the duo were brought under Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane upon conviction, underscoring the gravity of the alleged offenses.
The possession charges, meanwhile, were framed under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which stipulates a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both, upon conviction.
The court has set August 14th as the next mention date for the case, during which the chemist’s report is expected to be submitted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Ameerah Allaudeen appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Nur Afiqah Hambali represented the two accused individuals.
