WA: Indonesian nationals plead not guilty over ice importation

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2001
WA: Indonesian nationals plead not guilty over ice importation

PERTH, Dec 4 AAP - Two Indonesian nationals have formally pleaded not guilty to importing
2.3kg of the designer drug ice.

Mavlana Marlan, 47, and Lai Hock Chua, 31, both residents of Perth, entered their pleas
in the West Australian District Court to two counts of receiving the drug and were arraigned
for trial.

The pair was arrested after couriers Mira Iskandar, 35, and Hartono Soewandi, 37, were
apprehended at Perth International Airport on May 17 on their arrival from Jakarta, carrying
the drug in body packs.

Iskandar and Soewandi were jailed for carrying the drugs into Perth airport - Iskandar
must serve at least five years and Soewandi a minimum five-and-a-half before they become
eligible for parole.

Marlan and Chua previously had pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Perth Magistrates
Court, but were required to plead again in the district court before they could proceed
to trial.

The pair were remanded to reappear for a status conference on February 27.

Counsel for Marlan indicated a bail application would be forthcoming.

Marlan has been granted bail but has been unable to meet the conditions by providing a surety.

AAP lk/sd/ph/bwl

KEYWORD: ICE

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