GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - A 56-year-old real estate agency office assistant was yesterday sentenced to death for drug trafficking seven years ago.

Phung Geok Hoay was found guilty by the High Court of trafficking in 156.6g of methamphetamine in front of Lai Lai Supermarket along Jalan Rangoon about 4pm on July 24, 2002.

He was arrested inside a company car by a raiding team on the same day.

In his judgment, Judicial Commissioner Yaacob Md Sam said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Phung was guilty while the defence had failed to show otherwise.

Earlier, Yaacob said the court was satisfied that the drugs, found in separate packages underneath the car seat and in Phung's pockets, were not tampered with.