Justice Radzi Abdul Hamid meted out the sentence on Ramlan Salleh, 56, after finding that the defence had failed to prove a reasonable doubt at the end of their case.

He said the defence failed to call Shafiq, an individual who allegedly borrowed Ramlan’s car, as a defence witness.

“The accused’s testimony regarding who was using the car and the circumstances of the arrest does not correspond with the prosecution witnesses’ statements.

“The court finds that the defence has failed to raise reasonable doubt at the end of its case,” said the judge.

Ramlan and another individual were accused of trafficking cannabis in a car at Taman Cheng Jaya in the Melaka Tengah district at 6pm on Feb 6, 2020.

They were charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable by death or life imprisonment, and if the death sentence is not imposed, caning of not less than 15 strokes.

Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Yusoh appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Hanif Hassan.

The prosecution called 10 witnesses, while the accused was the sole defence witness.