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2011 MarsdenLR 2666

HIGH COURT MALAYA, SHAH ALAM
PP – Appellant
Versus
LIM SIEW POH – Respondent
[Criminal Trial No: 45-60-2008]



The prosecution must prove possession and knowledge of dangerous drugs for trafficking, with certain presumptions applying when quantities exceed statutory limits.

Headnote:(A) Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Section 39B(1)(a) and (2) - Accused charged with trafficking in drugs, specifically heroin and other substances - Evidence of possession of drugs found in vehicle, with prosecution establishing prima facie case. (Paras 31, 37, 61)

(B) Presumption of trafficking under s 37(da) applicable due to weight of heroin exceeding statutory threshold - Knowledge inferred from circumstances of apprehension. (Paras 39, 64)

Facts of the case:
Accused arrested with drugs including 62.13 grams of heroin found in a plastic bag on his lap. Arrest conducted based on surveillance operation. Defence contended that drugs belonged to third party without adequate evidence to shift burden. (Paras 1-5, 46)

Findings of Court:
Court satisfied that prosecution proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The accused was found guilty of possession and trafficking of heroin. (Paras 62, 63)

Issues: Whether proper charges were made regarding multiple drugs, and adequacy of proof regarding possession and knowledge of the accused.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that possession was established as the drugs were found on the accused’s lap, coupled with a strong presumption of trafficking due to the substantial quantity of heroin. (Paras 37, 64)

Result: Accused found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.

Table of Content
1. factual background of drug charges. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6)
2. defence arguments regarding prosecution evidence inconsistencies. (Para 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 18)
3. prosecution's contentions on proving drug possession. (Para 19 , 20 , 26 , 27 , 29)
4. legal thresholds for drug trafficking charges. (Para 22 , 30)
5. court's duty in considering prima facie cases. (Para 31 , 32 , 33 , 34)
6. court found mens rea and possession established. (Para 37 , 39 , 41 , 59)
7. final court decision: guilty and sentencing. (Para 56)

[1] The accused stands charged as follows, namely:

Amended charge:

Bahawa kamu pada 7 April 2008, jam lebih kurang 6.00 pagi di kawasan kilang beralamat G2000 Apparel Sdn Bhd, No: 36, Persiaran Industrial, Bandar Sri Damansara, di dalam Daerah Petaling, di dalam Negeri Selangor Darul Eshan, telah didapati mengedar dadah berbahaya iaitu sejumlah berat 62.13 gram heroin, 7.01 Monoacetylmorphines, 6.53 gram cannabis, 0.19 gram Methampertamine dan 2.01 gram ketamine dan oleh yang demikian kamu telah melakukan kesalahan di bawah s 39B(1) (a) Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 dan boleh dihukum di bawah s 39B(2) Akta yang sama.

[2] At the close of the prosecution's case, five witnesses were called to testify and the narration of their evidence are as follows, namely:

Factual Background Of Case

[3] On 6 April 2008, at about 10.00pm at night, SP2 ASP Norosid bin Hj Mamat, the head of the raiding party received an information from an informer, regarding a drug-trafficking syndicate operating within the vicinity of Sri Damansara. On 7 April 2008, at about 2.00am in the morning, SP2 gave a briefing to his officers and men with regard to an operation on information received from an informer at the Damansara Police Station. Present at the briefing were three officers including himself, ASP Loi Yew Lik and C/Insp Husni and 16 men. At the briefing it was revealed that a Chinese man in a dark Proton Wira, with registration number unknown will be trafficking in drugs around the petrol station near a factory outlet named G 2000 Apparel Sdn Bhd in an industrial area called the Persiaran Industri Bandar Sri Damansara. The witness had identified the two officers and the 16 men who were involved in the said operation. The men were grouped into five teams and all the members of the team proceeded to the target area to make an observation and surveillance on the dark Proton Wira. At about 6.00am in the morning of 7 April 2008, SP2 saw a dark Proton Wira entering the front of the Shell petrol station and stopping near the factory outlet, G2000, Apparel Sdn Bhd. The registration number of the car was WDH 3303. SP2 could not see anyone else in the car. SP2 then gave instructions to ASP Loi Yew Lik by walkie talkie for his team and SP2's team to do the blocking of the accused's car. ASP Loi Yew Lik's team blocked the front and SP2's team blocked the rear of the accused's car. After ensuring the accused's car could not move, SP2 came out of his car and proceeded to the driver's side of the door and found that the driver was a Chinese man. SP2 immediately identified himself as a police officer and as SP2 was to make an arrest, he saw one plastic bag on the lap of the Chinese man. The said plastic bag was white in colour and SP2 seized the white plastic bag before he arrested the accused and ordered him to come out of the car. The reaction of the Chinese man was one of fright and evasiveness. When SP2 opened the door of the car, it was not locked and the engine was still running.

[4] When the Chinese man was dragged out of the car, a body search did not disclose any incriminating exhibits on him. SP2 then proceeded to inspect the white plastic bag with the words 'SUNSHINE' written on it (exh P13). In the said white plastic bag with the words written 'SUNSHINE' was a box with words written 'HAIR DRYER' (exh P14), wherein in the said box were three big packets wrapped with transparent plastic containing powdery substance suspected to

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