Ng Chuan Tong, 51, and Herman Patte, 35, nodded after the charges were read before magistrate Aidaku Amira Aminuddin, Harian Metro reported.

However, no plea was recorded from either accused as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The men were accused of jointly trafficking 130,575.18g of dangerous drugs at Batu 15, Jalan Apas, Tawau, at about 9.30pm on April 21.

They were charged under Section 39(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and, if not sentenced to death, no fewer than 15 strokes of the cane.

The prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Haikal Hazwan Yatin, did not offer bail as the offence is non-bailable.

Both accused were unrepresented.

The court set June 2 for mention pending the chemistry report.

The men were arrested by the Tawau police headquarters’ narcotics crime investigation division following the discovery of a large quantity of methamphetamine hidden in a sport utility vehicle.