Elderly man charged with trafficking suspected fentanyl, faces death penalty or life imprisonment
KANGAR: A 65-year-old man has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with allegedly trafficking a large quantity of synthetic drugs believed to be fentanyl, an offence that carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act.
The accused, identified as Him Mat, acknowledged that he understood the charge after it was read before Magistrate Ana Rozana Mohd Nor on Monday.
No plea was recorded as the offence falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge, Him is accused of jointly trafficking the suspected synthetic drug with another individual who remains at large.
The alleged offence took place at about 5.50pm on July 1 at a house located at Lot 896-D, Jalan Panggas, Kampung Guar Musang, Bukit Keteri, Padang Besar.
The prosecution alleged that the case involved approximately 39.9 litres of a substance believed to be fentanyl, pending confirmation through forensic analysis.
The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code for acts committed with common intention.
Upon conviction, the offence carries the punishment prescribed by law, including the death penalty or life imprisonment. If the death penalty is not imposed, the offender may also face not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Alia Suzila Check Pi appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented during the proceedings.
The prosecution requested a new mention date to allow time for the completion of the Chemistry Department’s forensic analysis, which will determine the nature and composition of the substance seized during the investigation.
The court granted the application, fixed Oct 8 for case mention and ordered that the accused remain in custody without bail pending the completion of the chemical analysis.
The case follows a major anti-drug operation carried out by the Perlis police earlier this month, during which authorities dismantled a syndicate believed to be involved in the distribution of synthetic drugs concealed in vape cartridges.
Police previously announced that three coordinated raids led to the seizure of suspected furanylfentanyl-based substances with an estimated street value of RM34.31 million, marking one of the state’s largest synthetic drug seizures.
Perlis police chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said investigators believe the syndicate was using vape cartridges as a delivery method to enhance the intoxicating effects of the synthetic drug before allegedly smuggling the products into neighbouring countries.
Investigations into the wider trafficking network are continuing, including efforts to trace the remaining suspect believed to have acted together with the accused.
