Kalaiarasu Durairaj, 27, was walking freely at Melbourne Tullmarine airport yesterday, eager to go home after three months of detention at the Melbourne Metropolitan Detention Centre.
On July 27 this year, Mr. Durairaj was charged and detained as a suspected accomplice to trafficking illegal drugs.
Lawyer Mr. Thanarajah and friend (right and centre) making a joke to Mr. Durairaj that he should not speak to anyone at all on plane later. Photo by Joyce Ng
While on the journey to Melbourne, the first time he travelled out of Malaysia, Mr. Durairaj had been seated next to another Malaysian who was caught upon arrival being in the possession of methamphetamine. Both Malaysians had not known each other prior to boarding, however Mr. Durairaj, when questioned by the officers, admitted that he knew him as they were having a chat on the plane.
With the help of the Consulate General of Malaysia to Melbourne and lawyer Vicknaraj Thanarajah, Mr. Durairaj was finally released on October 31 after three months of detainment, when all charges were withdrawn against him.
Lawyer Mr. Thanarajah suspects that there was an element of prejudice against Mr. Durairaj due to his skin colour among the officers and that may have contributed to why an innocent Mr. Durairaj fell into the trap.
He said that at the moment, there are about 25 Malaysians being detained at the Melbourne Metropolitan Detention Centre for suspected drug trafficking.