Teen Charged With Drug Abuse

Teen Charged With Drug Abuse - Tears rolled down Ng Pei Ven’s cheeks as she was brought handcuffed into the magistrate’s court here.

The 19-year-old part-time model was clad in the same zebra-striped dress that she wore when she allegedly drove against traffic flow on the North-South Expressway (NSE) and caused an accident which led to the death of a man on Tuesday.

Her left eye remained bandaged and her right arm was in a sling when she was brought into the dock to be charged with drug abuse at about 11am yesterday.

A couple, believed to be her parents, were seen at the courthouse. They brought water for Ng.

In the courtroom, the woman handed Ng a pair of spectacles to wear.

Ng stood calmly as the court interpreter read the charge to her in Mandarin, that she is accused of having tested positive for amphetamine at the central Seberang Prai district police Narcotics Department at about 5pm on Tuesday. She pleaded not guilty.

The offence, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, carries a maximum two-year jail sentence and RM5,000 fine.

Prosecuting officer Asst Supt Md Azman Kadir asked magistrate Jamaliah Abd Manap to set bail at RM8,000 and suspend Ng’s driving licence because the accident had caused the death of a motorist.

Ng, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lower bail, saying that she is not employed and does not have a source of income.

She added that her father was working in a motorcycle shop while her mother was an insurance agent. She has an elder sister who is still studying.

Jamaliah set bail at RM5,000 in two sureties and ordered Ng to report to the Central Seberang Prai police headquarters once a week.

She fixed May 12 for case mention, pending the chemist report.

The couple left the courthouse and returned later at about 4.20pm to post bail for Ng.

The family then sped off in a car, avoiding reporters and photographers on their way out.

Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the four-day remand for Ng expired yesterday.

He said police had submitted the investigation papers of the accident to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.

Ng is also being investigated under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of drugs and causing the death of or injury to any person.

The offence carries a jail sentence of three to 10 years and a fine of between RM8,000 and RM20,000.