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SANDAKAN: The High Court here on Wednesday acquitted and discharged a Filipino labourer without calling for his defence on a charge of trafficking 103.78g of methamphetamine two years ago.

Judge Saiful Azian Mokhtar delivered the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.

The accused, Haser Ajirul, 35, was alleged to have committed the offence on Jan 25, 2024 at about 4.30pm by the roadside near a palm oil mill in Beluran.

He had been charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act which provides the death penalty or life imprisonment and, if sentenced to life imprisonment, not less than 15 strokes of the cane.

The trial began on July 21, 2025 and concluded on Dec 16, 2025 with six prosecution witnesses called, while the prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Risal Abdul Fikkah and the accused was represented by lawyers Hamida Ambo and Nurul Izzati Dislin.