Singer acquitted of cocaine trafficking charge

2026-03-18 - 11:02

The High Court found no proof that singer Emily Leo had control over the drugs found in a house. (Reuters pic) KUALA LUMPUR: A nightclub singer was acquitted and discharged by the High Court here today of a charge of trafficking about 400g of cocaine alongside three others in 2023. Justice Noor Ruwena Nordin made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Emily Leo at the close of its case. In her judgment, Noor Ruwena held that although the prosecution claimed the drugs were discovered inside a house, the court found no clear evidence linking Leo, 29, to the drugs. The court also found no proof that Leo had control over the drugs. “Thus, the court acquits and discharges the third accused (Leo). The other three accused are ordered to enter their defence,” Noor Ruwena said. Leo, who had been remanded since 2023, broke down in tears after the decision was delivered. She was jointly charged with three others with trafficking about 400g of cocaine at a residence in Brickfields here on Nov 23, 2023. The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping upon conviction. Leo was represented by lawyers Sivahnanthan Ragava and Cyrus Tiu, while deputy public prosecutor Shahrizzat Amadan conducted the prosecution.