“How can a person be charged for a drug offence even before the chemistry department has confirmed that the substance is a dangerous drug?

“Do the police and/or prosecution have actual evidence of drug trafficking, or are they simply relying on legal presumptions?” said Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) spokesman Charles Hector in a statement.

He stressed that no one should be ever charged in court until and unless there is sufficient evidence for the prosecution to prove the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

“It is always better and safer to confirm through independent investigation that Yusoff is really guilty.

“How easy (it can be) for someone else to place drugs on the property of another, and call the police who comes and finds the drugs,” Charles said.

Last Friday, Yusoff was arrested after police found two fake pistols and what was believed to be 305g of compressed cannabis in his vehicle.

He was charged in a magistrates’ court yesterday under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act for trafficking dangerous drugs, and the court set Nov 12 for re-mention of the case.

In a press conference shortly after, Yusoff’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said he will apply for his client’s bail and called for the police to investigate claims of a personal vendetta against Yusoff and his family.