THE GALLOWS FOR TWO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

JOHOR BARU: A car wash attendant and welder were given the death
sentence by a High Court here for trafficking in more than 6kg of cannabis.

K. Nanda Kumar and M. Poobalan, both 31, were found guilty of
trafficking in the drug in front of a hotel in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah
here at about 8pm on Aug 24, 2002.

The two had met an undercover police officer to discuss a drug deal
before they were arrested.

The defence said the drugs were brought to the crime scene in a lorry
by someone else. Both denied any involvement in the drug deal.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohd Zawawi Salleh said the
court found all elements in their charge, especially the meeting prior
to the arrest, had occurred.

"The explanations given by the accused were merely denials. The court
is satisfied that both the accused had committed the offence," he said.

Both were teary eyed when the verdict was read.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Husmin Hussin told the court that the maximum
sentence was justified as it was in the interest of the public.

In mitigation, defence counsel Norman Fernandes, who was representing
Poobalan, said both the accused were only 26 when committing the
offence and were the sole breadwinners in their respective families.