Faizal Ahmad Zaki, 37, and Razin Razali, 32, were alleged to have committed the offence at 1.9 nautical miles off Kuala Kedah waters, near here at 9.30am on May 24.

Auxiliary policeman Anas Hafizin Ahmad, 37, self-employed Aslam Osman, 29, and fisherman Ibrahim Dahamid, 38, were also charged with committing the same offence.

No plea was recorded as the case was under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

Faizal and Razin were charged under Section 26B(d) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670) read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

The two policemen, who are members of the Special Branch E6 under the Kedah police contingent, face a life sentence and whipping if convicted.

Anas Hafizin, Aslam and Ibrahim, on the other hand, were charged under Section 26A of the same Act and face a maximum jail term of 20 years, or a fine, or both, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Zahruddin Mohammed Isa, Nor Syaliati Mohd Sobri and Nur Syifa Mohd Hamzah prosecuted, while lawyer Ravi Shankar Gandhi represented Razin.

All the other accused were not represented.

Judge Noor Zaihan Mohamad Ali set July 4 for re-mention.