Tie Teck Hock, 52, was initially charged with trafficking 1,030.80g of methamphetamine outside a food outlet at Jalan Pedada at around 10pm on June 12.

He nodded when the charge was read by a court interpreter before magistrate Oon Kork Chern.

He and his wife, Lee Chee Fei, 45, were also jointly charged with trafficking 6,055.90g of methamphetamine found in a house at Jalan Permai Jaya 9D1B1 at 10.45pm the same day.

They were charged under Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and not less than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

The couple was also jointly charged with possessing 2,078.90g of ketamine and 2,022.15g of nimetazepam at the same location, time and date.

The charges were brought under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000, imprisonment for a maximum of five years, or both, upon conviction.

Tie and Lee indicated that they understood the charges, but no plea was recorded.

Tie was released on police bail on June 26 following the expiry of his seven-day remand, but was subsequently rearrested under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

Lee was also released on police bail on June 24 after the end of her four-day remand, but was similarly rearrested under the same Act.

The court fixed Aug 22 for further mention of the cases pending the chemist’s report. No bail was granted to either accused.

Deputy public prosecutor Nuralisa Natasha Nazrulzam appeared for the prosecution while counsel Reena Chong represented the couple.