THAI TRADER SENT TO THE GALLOWS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING, WIFE FREED

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), July 8 (Bernama) -- A Thai trader was sentenced to
death by hanging by the High Court here after he was found guilty of trafficking
in drug four years ago, while his wife was acquitted and discharged of the
charge.

Justice Mohd Azman Husin handed down the sentence on Abdullah Saopi, 46,
after finding that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubts on the
prosecution's case.

However, he ordered that Abdullah's wife, Yanidah Maerohkachi, 41, who was
charged with abetting him, be acquitted and discharged as there was no evidence
that she was involved in the drug dealing.

Abdullah was found guilty of trafficking in 76.39gm of Methamphetamine when
detained at a Caltex petrol station, Jalan Pasir Mas - Rantau Panjang , near
Pasir Mas in the state of Kelantan, about 7.10pm on Dec 15, 2006.

Deputy public prosecutor Nooriah Osman prosecuted, while Abdullah was
represented by lawyer Latifah Ariffin and Yanidah, by Mohd Azmi Tan
Abdullah.
--BERNAMA