Ex-diplomat and son charged with growing 102 cannabis trees

A former diplomat and his son pleaded not guilty at the Raub Sessions Court today to planting 102 ganja or cannabis trees.

Zainal Abidin Alias, 78, and Mohamed Rizal, 53, were charged with committing the offence at a house in Kampung Sum-Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, Bentong at 6.10pm on May 21.

The charge, under Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for life imprisonment and a whipping of not less than six strokes, upon conviction.

Pahang prosecution director Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim and deputy public prosecutors Hayda Faridzal Abu Hassan and Anisah Pisol appeared for the prosecution while the accused were represented by lawyer Rahmat Hazlan.

During proceedings, the prosecution said that no bail would be offered to the accused while Rahmat said his party had sent a representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on June 2.

Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya fixed July 22 for case mention.

Last Friday, both father and son were charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Bentong with trafficking ganja and possessing cannabis oil.

Rizal also faced a third charge of misusing tetrahydrocannabinol at the narcotics office of Bentong district police headquarters at 8.40pm on May 23.