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DSR 11C
A
considerations therefore point to the Prime
Minister intervening with such a plea.
7. A decision on a possible Prime Ministerial
plea is urgently required in view of the
uncertainty as to when the Pardons Board will
meet. The High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur has
recommended that we ought to make no public
distinction between the Eight and Barlow and
Gregory (Kuala Lumpur Distress 25 to FCO of 15
May).
BACKGROUND
8. Eight male and one female BDTC's from Hong
Kong were arrested in Penang on 30 October 1982 in
possession of 13.48 kgs of heroin found in the
false bottoms of five suitcases. The five to whom
the cases belonged were charged with possession of
and trafficking in dangerous drugs and the other 4
with aiding and abetting. All nine pleaded not
guilty and elected to go for trial in the High
Court.
9.
At the time of their arrest the penalty for
trafficking in dangerous drugs could be death or
life imprisonment; the High Court had the power to
order death sentence for trafficking over 100
grams of heroin. On 16 April 1983 the death
sentence was made mandatory for trafficking 15 gms
or more of heroin.
10.
After a trial lasting 40 days all mine were
found guilty on 7 May 1985; eight were sentenced
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