KUALA LUMPUR: A retired diplomat and his son linked to a Janda Baik marijuana farm have been charged at a Magistrate's Court in Bentong with drug offences including trafficking which carries a death penalty.
Datuk Zainal Abidin Alias, 78, and his son Mohamed Rizal, 53, were charged before Magistrate Shahrul Ekhsan Hashim on Friday (June 3).
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Both father and son were jointly charged with trafficking 1020g of cannabis at Lot 5718 (Bayu Bukit Hijau), Kampung Sum Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang at about 6.10pm on May 21.
The charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a mandatory death sentence.
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They were also jointly charged with having in their possession a 60ml cannabis oil, an offence under Section 9(1)(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The offence was allegedly committed at the same place and time as the trafficking offence.
They face imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to RM20,000 or both, if convicted.
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Mohamed Rizal also faced a third charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 where he allegedly misused THC.
He was accused of committing the offence at the narcotics office of the Bentong district police headquarters at 8.40pm on May 23.
If convicted, Mohamed Rizal faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail up to two years.
No plea was recorded for the trafficking offence.
For the other offences, Zainal Abidin and Mohamed Rizal pleaded not guilty.
The court was also informed that representation letters by the defence had been sent to the Attorney General's Chambers on Thursday (June 2).
The prosecution was led by state prosecution director Mohammad Khalid while the accused persons were represented by Rahmat Hazlan, Tania Scivetti and Kamil Azman.
The case has been set for mention on June 13.