What evidence failed to link the worker to the methamphetamine?

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DNA Evidence Was Insufficient to Link Oil Palm Worker to Methamphetamine

The High Court in Ipoh discharged and acquitted a 52-year-old oil palm plantation worker, Leong Hoi Aw, of two drug trafficking charges involving 77,744.8 grammes of methamphetamine. Justice Datuk Abdul Wahab Mohamed ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Leong, specifically finding that DNA evidence was insufficient to connect him to the drugs. The court determined that Leong, who was arrested in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, had neither control nor custody of the illicit substances.
DNA Evidence Insufficient for Linkage

The court found that the available DNA evidence did not sufficiently establish a link between Leong Hoi Aw and the methamphetamine discovered. This lack of conclusive forensic connection was a critical factor in the judge's decision to acquit the accused. The ruling highlighted that mere presence in a vehicle where drugs are found does not automatically equate to possession or trafficking.
Lack of Control or Custody

Justice Abdul Wahab explicitly stated that Leong Hoi Aw had neither control nor custody of the drugs. This finding was based on the circumstances of the arrest, where Leong was a passenger in the rear seat. In contrast, his co-accused, Liew Wan Wah, who was the driver and owner of the vehicle, was found to have knowledge of the vehicle's contents.
Passenger Status and Co-Accused's Role

Leong was seated in the rear passenger seat at the time of the arrest, a position that did not imply control over the vehicle or its contents. The driver and owner, Liew Wan Wah, was identified by the court as the individual with knowledge of the drugs concealed within the vehicle, which included 111 green Chinese tea packets labelled “Guanyin Wang” and six packets labelled “Da Guan Yin” found in the boot, along with additional packets in the spare tyre compartment.

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What evidence failed to link the worker to the methamphetamine?

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