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Kota Kinabalu: A 57-year-old MyPR holder man was freed by the High Court here from a charge of smuggling seven Filipino migrants.

Omar Sapari was on Wednesday discharged and acquitted without his defence being called.

Judicial Commissioner Amelati Parnell in delivering her ruling held that the court found that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Omar for the offence charge.

Amelati held that there was no evidence showing that Omar had arranged facilitated or organising directly or indirectly the unlawful entry or unlawful exit of the seven migrants listed in the charge.

On Feb 25, 2019 Omar claimed trial for smuggling seven Filipino migrants, aged between 21 and 37, between Aug 9, 2017 and Oct 24, 2018, at 12.10pm at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here.

The charge under Section 26A of the AntiTrafficking-In Persons and Smuggling of the Migrants Act 2007, carries a jail term of up to 15 years, or with a fine, or both, on conviction.

Six prosecution witnesses testified in the trial at the prosecution stage.

Omar, who was arrested on Oct 26, 2018, had since been placed under remand.

He was represented by counsel Datuk Haji Ansari Abdullah and Muhammad Amirul Amin.

In another case, seven people were penalised by the Magistrate’s Court here for committing drug-related offences.

Four of them Saharin Kadir, Hashim Abdullah, Md Sain Sabian and Davies Alfred pleaded guilty separately before Magistrate Lovely Natasha to having syabu weighing 3.28gm and 0.10gm at different locations here and in Penampang.

Saharin was sentenced to one year and six months jail, Hashim and Sain were jailed 10 months and nine months respectively, while Davies was fined RM2,600 or eight months jail.

The charge under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or up to five years jail or both on conviction.

The other three Chong Kar Meng, Freddie Paul and Lasley Martin admitted to taking the drugs.

They were arrested at different locations here and in Penampang between  Aug 23 and Sept 8 after tested positive for syabu and amphetamine, said the prosecution informed the court.

Chong was handed 12 months jail, Freddie received seven months jail, while Lasley was fined RM2,000 or seven months jail.

Taking drugs under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drug Act provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to two years jail on conviction.

Inspector Kelvan Elson Maik was prosecuted.