PUTRAJAYA: Nine people claimed trial at the Sepang Sessions Court today, on charges of stealing 1,407 Samsung Galaxy Note II smartphones worth about RM2 million, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) cargo area and attempting to sell them.
Forwarding agents M Visanthakumar, 22, and S Sanjay, 32, were alleged to have jointly stolen the smartphones belonging to a company, KGL Sdn Bhd, at Gate 37 of the Mas Kargo storage area in KLIA, about 12.30pm on Oct 20, this year.
S Sugunthan, 29, was meanwhile, charged with abetting Visanthakumar to steal the phones, along with two accomplices still at large.
Visanthakumar was also jointly charged with K Ugendran, 27, to dispose off 80 units of the smartphones by selling it to handphone sales agent Tan Yee Seng at Ctel Communication, Terminal One, Seremban at 9pm on Oct 21.
Also charged were handphone sales dealers Au Chee Wan, 23, and Sim Ka Fai, 24, who were accused of disposing 88 units of the smartphones by selling them to four individuals, respectively, at CTel Communication, Terminal One, Seremban and Uni Generation Trading at Plaza Low Yat in Bukit Bintang.
Another three individuals, Ng Chee Kiat, 31, Hueng Fook Chyeong, 43, and Tan Yee Seng, 23, were charged with having in their possession, 39 of the stolen smartphones at various locations in Seremban and Puchong.
Judge Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Puzi set bail for all the accused at RM5,000 for each charge and fixed Nov 27 for mention.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Farhah Mohd Suah prosecuted in all the cases, while lawyer M. Sivam represented Visanthakumar, Sugundran and Ugendran, lawyer Zaflee Pakwanteh represented Chee Wan and Sanjay, while Chee Kiat, Yee Seng, Fook Cheong and Ka Fai were represented by lawyer Leng Wei Mun.
The alleged theft carries a maximum 10 years' imprisonment, whipping and fine, while disposing stolen goods is punishable with a maximum seven years prison and a fine, upon conviction.
The charge of possession of stolen goods carries a maximum seven years' imprisonment and a fine, if convicted for the offence.
- Bernama
