Kota Kinabalu: Two locals and four Filipinos, charged with having 1,308 turtles illegally, will get to know their fate on April 27. 

Sessions Court Judge Ainul Sharin Mohamad set the date for Rashed Delan, 38, Alsadat Belog, 39, and Filipinos Madal Juldin, 37, Ibrahim Kahal, 44, Sidik Napaeh, 23, and Rasid Alain, 38, when the defence closed its case after calling seven witnesses on Wednesday. 

They are accused of having the Malayan Box turtles (Cuora amboinensis), which are animals listed under the CITES Appendix II (Convention), without a valid permit at 2.45am on Dec 7, 2016 at the Pulau Mengalum waters, here. 

The six were jointly charged under Section 41(2)/34 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 punishable under Section 41(4) of the same Enactment, which provides for a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to RM100,000, or both, on conviction. 

The prosecution had called seven witnesses during the hearing. 

Prosecuting Officer Abdul Karim Dakog from the Wildlife Department appeared for the prosecution while counsel Azheir Farhan defended the six. 

In another court, a 21-year-old Filipino was charged with having 37.66gm of syabu. Maidin Julam pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Indra Ayub to the charge against him. 

Maidin allegedly had the drug at 10pm on April 2 this year by the roadside in Taman Telipok Ria, Tuaran. 

The offence under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and punishable under Section 39A(2) of the same Act carries a jail term of between five years and life imprisonment, and whipping, on conviction. 

Indra set May 24 for mention pending the chemist's report on the drug and ordered Maidin remanded further. 

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Khairuddin Idris appeared for the prosecution. - Cynthia D Baga