Recently freed drug offender faces death penalty over heroin trafficking charge

BATU PAHAT: A man who was recently released after serving a sentence for a drug offence now faces the death penalty after being charged with trafficking 115g of heroin and possessing methamphetamine.

Rahaimi Misnon, 48, an unemployed father of one, nodded as the charges were read out before magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno at the Yong Peng magistrate's court today.

No plea was recorded for the heroin trafficking charge as it falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Rahaimi is accused of trafficking 115g of heroin at the roadside near a house in Jalan Sungai Nibong, Semerah, at 3pm on Nov 3.

The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act.

Upon conviction, he faces the death penalty or life imprisonment and at least 12 strokes of the rotan if the death penalty is not imposed.

Rahaimi, however, pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of possessing 5.10g of methamphetamine at the same time and place.

The possession charge was framed under Section 12(2) of the Act and is punishable under Section 39A(1).

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Shahzleen Ibrahim prosecuted, while Rahaimi was unrepresented.

The court denied bail and fixed Jan 13 for mention pending the chemistry report.