Six Charged in Birthday Party Drug Bust

Six people face serious drug charges in Tawau, Malaysia, following a police raid on a birthday party held at a luxury homestay. The accused were brought before the Magistrate's Court to answer to allegations of possessing ketamine and trafficking ecstasy.

The individuals charged are Lisyanti Ibrahim, 39; Andi Moh. Arifai Tatta, 29; Chang Vui Hiung, 28; Sherlin Liew Zi Ling, 25; Muhammad Haikal Daniel Azman, 22; and Shazzreena, 20. All six pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing ketamine. However, for the ecstasy trafficking charge, no plea was recorded as it falls under the High Court's jurisdiction.

Prosecutors allege that on August 26, at approximately 4:30 AM, the group jointly possessed 1.16 grams of ketamine and trafficked 659.16 grams of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, within the rented homestay. The charges are brought under Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952. Possession of ketamine carries a maximum penalty of a RM100,000 fine or five years' imprisonment, or both. The ecstasy trafficking charge, under Section 39B(1)(a), carries a mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment with possible whipping if not sentenced to death.

Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin scheduled September 18 for the next court date, awaiting a chemical report. The arrests were made after a police team from the Tawau District Police Headquarters' Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division raided the homestay based on information about drug abuse activities. During the raid, all six individuals were found in a room believed to be rented for the birthday celebration. A search of the room uncovered a glass plate containing a white powder suspected to be ketamine, along with a card and a cigarette also believed to contain traces of the drug.