JOHOR BARU: Two Singaporeans escaped the gallows when a High Court here acquitted them of their drug charges.

       Judicial commissioner Ahmad Kamal Md. Shahid acquitted both men, Tan Poh Hai, 47, and Tan Jun Hao Jenson, 30, without having their defence called on Tuesday (Nov 23).

       He said that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

       They were charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

       According to the charge sheet, both men were caught trafficking 0.96kg of methamphetamine at an apartment in Johor Baru on July 21, 2017 at about 1am.

       Poh Hai also faced a second charge for possessing 3.61g of methamphetamine at the same date and time at the apartment's car park.

       On the second charge, Poh Hai, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to one year imprisonment from the date of the arrest.

       Deputy public prosecutor Faizal Amrin prosecuted the case while Poh Hai was represented by lawyer Bernard George George Mathews while Shaik Saleem B.S.M Daud represented Jun Hao.

       George said that his client would also be released as he had served his jail time as both men have been in prison for more than four years.

       "They are both eager to get back to Singapore to see their families," he added.