Two unemployed men escaped the noose after the High Court here today amended their charge for drug trafficking to that of possession.

Judge Mohd Sofian Abd Razak amended the charge after finding that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubts that the duo had trafficked-in the said drug.

However, he said, the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a case under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act which was punishable under Section 39A (2)of the same law.

The offence provides a maximum 20 years' jail sentence and whipping of not less than 10 times.

Mohd Sofian set Oct 10 for Samsun Majdi Awang, 47, and Mohd Zulkifli Abdullah, 32, to enter their defence.

The two men were initially charged with trafficking in 4,616.3gm cannabis at Lorong Haji Hussien, Pantai Johor near here at 11.15pm on May 28, 2004.

They were represented by lawyer Rahamatullah Baharudeen, while deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Zakhi Daud appeared for the prosecution.

- Bernama