High Court Judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh pronounced the death sentence on Mohd Nazri Mohamed, 38, Mat Zainudin Mandsor, 38, and Ismail Jusoh, 37, for trafficking in    134gm of methamphetamine in 2018.

They had been arrested by the roadside at a paddy field in Kampung Bendang Keladi, Tanah Merah.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Act, possession of more than 50gm of methamphetamine is deemed to be an act of trafficking, for which the penalty is death.

Earlier this week, the government said mandatory death sentences set out for offences such as drug trafficking would be abolished, and judges would be given discretion in deciding on an appropriate sentence.

However, a federal police officer said today that the police would seek to list possession of 15gm of syabu as among the offences for which the death sentence will apply.

In the Kota Bharu case, the judge said the court imposed the sentence (of death by hanging) after finding that all the accused could not be trusted, according to a Harian Metro report.

Judge Wan Ahmad Farid said the three accused had fled when the raid was carried out by the police.

The judge said the explanation given by the three men was unacceptable. They had said that they had just arrived at the location, and did not know about the items.

The three men were also sentenced to six months’ in jail on charges of possessing 9.2gm of cocaine, and six months’ imprisonment on charges of possessing methamphetamine. The sentences run concurrently from the date of arrest.