BUKIT MERTAJAM: The owner of an engineering firm has been charged at the magistrate's court here for trafficking RM65mil worth of drugs.

The accused, Yu Beng Chuah, 49, from Simpang Ampat, was charged with trafficking 278.342 kg of cocaine on Feb 24, 4.49pm, at the Royal Malaysian Custom Department's logistics storeroom in Jalan Perusahaan Prai here.

The offence under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 is punishable under Section 39B(2) with a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Magistrate Dianne Ningrad Nor Azhar set May 18 for mention pending a chemistry report.

DPP Abdul Malik Awang Kechik from the Customs Department prosecuted, while Yu was represented by lawyer Eddy Kwang.