Bangsar:Two men were sentenced to 30 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane by the High Court after being found guilty of trafficking 139 kilograms of cannabis four years ago.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Judge Datuk Mohd Arief Emran Arifin imposed the sentence on S. Mohan, 38, and Ahmad Shamil Abdul Rashid, 28, concluding that the prosecution had proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court ruled that the prison terms would commence from the date of their arrest, May 31, 2022.

The men were charged with trafficking 139,019.3 grams of cannabis at a shopping center car park in Bangsar at 2 pm on the day of their arrest. The charge falls under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, with penalties dictated by Section 39B(2) of the same Act in conjunction with Section 34 of the Penal Code. These provisions allow for the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not applied.

Police surveillance during the operation observed the accused transferring bags and plastic packets from a Toyota Vellfire into a Proton Preve. During the subsequent raid, Ahmad Shamil attempted to escape in the Toyota Vellfire but was apprehended nearby and returned to the scene. While the Toyota Vellfire contained no drugs, cannabis was discovered in the rear passenger area of the Proton Preve.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Zaileen Nadia Zubir requested a 30-year sentence and caning for both men, highlighting the significant quantity of drugs involved. Defense lawyers Mohamed Yazzer Azzad Zainudin and Muhammad Faiz Fadzil appealed for consideration of the minimum prison term, noting their clients' time in custody since May 2022 and their expressed remorse.