PR Charged With Trafficking Drugs
By Malai FadleyRizal

Bandar Seri Begawan - A plea will be heard from a 22-year-old Permanent Resident on two serious charges of drug possession intended for trafficking after the case was adjourned to February 16 for plea taking.

Chiang Chee Yee, who is of Chinese ethnicity, is being represented by Mr Navasiwayam of Messrs. Ahmad Isa and Partners.

Chief justice Mohammed Saied yesterday adjourned the case yesterday as the defence counsel needed time to seek further instructions from the defendant.

Prosecuting Officer Pg Nina Jasmine preferred against the defendant. Chiang Chee Yee a first charge of possessing 415.335 grammes of Cannabis for the purpose of unauthorised trafficking the class B drug in a car, which was parked at the area of Bangunan Hj Md Yasin in Kg Sengkurong on October 23, 2003.

A second charge read that he had in his possession 29.113 grammes of Cannabis for the purpose of unauthorised trafficking the class B drug at No. 10 Spg. 287-4 in Kg Subok on October 24, 2003.

Meanwhile, Chiang was earlier jointly charged with another person named Hamdinie Hj Mohd Hamdillah in the Magistrate's Court where the case was heard before.

The prosecution had entered a "Nolle Prosequi" in court against charges faced by Hamdinie where he was discharged from it not amounting to an acquittal.

According to the prosecution, “Nolle Prosequi” is a term for which the defendant is discharged from the charges not amounting to an acquittal and that the Public Prosecutor may decide to prefer charges against the discharged defendant in the event that new evidence comes to light.

Chiang Chee Yee was released on bail of $15,000 or three local sureties earlier and was extended yesterday until the next mention.

Chiang will be brought again before the High Court an February 16, 2004 for further mention of the case.

Chiang is facing a penalty of a minimum imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum of 30 years with whipping of 15 strokes for the first charge while the second charge carries a penalty of a minimum imprisonment of 3 years and a maximum of 20 years with whipping of a minimum of 3 strokes and a maximum of 10 strokes. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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