Bandar Seri Begawan - Two defendants in a drug-trafficking case had their appeal to be released on bail rejected yesterday by Justice Dato Paduka Hairol Arni Hj Abd Majid, who upheld the Magistrate's Court's decision to deny the defendants bail.

Mohd Hatta bin Hj Adis and Awang Besar bin Awang Sokiaw are facing a charge of possession of 81.55 gross grammes of Meth in a vehicle on January 9, 2013 at Kampong Pengkalan Batu.

Defence Counsel for the appellants Lt Col (Rtd) Harif Ibrahim submitted that the defendants were facing aggression during their apprehension by Narcotics Control Bureau officers, and on other grounds.

DPP Suriana Radin in responding stated that the defendants might pose a risk to the case with the likelihood of absconding on being released on bail.

It is also in the court's consent to reject the appeal on the grounds the defendants are facing a serious charge as opposed to lower charges of consumption or administration of drugs.

The case is up for further mention in the Magistrate's Court in two weeks' time.