JAKARTA - At least three defendants in the case of smuggling more than 96 kilograms (kg) of methamphetamine to Malaysia were released after the Jiran District Court of Appeal declared them not guilty.
The three defendants are Muhammad Amiruddin Abd Hadi, 30, V. Vijandran Nair, 35, and Muhammad Faiz Ahmad, 36.
Presiding Judge Wendy Ooi Su Ghee said the prosecution against the three failed to prove the case prima facie.
He said there were serious weaknesses in the case filed by the prosecutor against the three defendants.
The judge noted contradictions in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses, especially regarding the identification of evidence and the number of drug boxes seized.
"The court also noted the failure of the police to hand over the photos during the seizure, in addition to the failure to hand over the original CCTV footage," said Judge Wendy in yesterday's hearing, quoted from Bernama, Wednesday, January 14.
He added that the investigating officers failed to examine the evidence submitted by the defendant, thus weakening the prosecution's case.
"Therefore, the three defendants are acquitted and released without being called to give their defense," said Judge Wendy.
The three men were charged jointly in the case of smuggling 96,700.3 grams of methamphetamine or crystal meth after being arrested near a house in Batu Caves Park, Gombak, Malaysia, on August 6, 2021.
The charge, under Article 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, is punishable by death or life imprisonment if found guilty.
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