TWO NEPALESE 'STUNG' IN DEA OPS SENTENCED TO DEATH

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Two Nepalese found guilty of drug
trafficking were sentenced to death by the High Court here Thursday, after they
were 'stung' in a joint operation mounted by the US drug enforcement agency
(DEA) and Malaysia's Bukit Aman police, six years ago.

In a sting operation in 2003, Hari Bahadur Ghale, 29, and Sajan Gurung, 30,
were nabbed by a team of DEA and Bukit Aman's narcotics department officers for
trafficking in 875.2 grammes of high-grade heroin.

The duo were charged with trafficking in the drug at Room 1109, Federal
Hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang, here about 2pm on May 30 under Section 39B(1)(a)
of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 which carried the mandatory death sentence upon
conviction.

Judicial Commissioner Azman Abdullah said Hari and Sajan failed to raise a
reasonable doubt on the prosecution's case.

He said they were seen separately entering a lift at the hotel and later
caught in the (DEA and Bukit Aman police) raid while negotiating with a DEA
undercover officer.

Azman said the duo were fully aware of the drug which was found on a
round-table in the hotel room.

The court also rejected the argument by counsel for Hari and Sajan that the
fourth prosecution witness -- a DEA agent known only as 'James' -- was not the
person with both of them during the raid.

"Other prosecution witnesses had positively identified 'James' as a DEA
agent and directly involved in the sting operation," added Azman.

Counsel K. A. Ramu, appearing for Hari, told the court his client entered
the country as a tourist and was very remorseful for his act.

Sajan's counsel, Rajpal Singh, said his client had been working at National
Panasonic in Shah Alam, near here for two years, and was supporting his aged
parents in Nepal.

After judgement was delivered and an interpreter explained the court's
decision and that they could file an appeal, Hari and Sajan merely nodded.

Deputy public prosecutor Lokman Kasim appeared for the prosecution.
-- BERNAMA