By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, March 26: A 26-year-old deputy president of an anti-drug agency was fined RM1,500 by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to consuming ketamine earlier this year. He faces a two-month jail term in default of payment.
The charge, framed under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, relates to the self-administration of a prohibited substance. The offence carries a penalty of up to RM5,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both upon conviction.
The plea was recorded before Senior Assistant Registrar Mohammad Fauzi Acho.
Based on the case facts, the accused was detained at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department of the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters at around 3.40am on January 1.
He had earlier been apprehended in Muara Tuang, Kota Samarahan, on suspicion of involvement in drug abuse.
An initial urine screening test returned positive for drugs, which was later confirmed by the Chemistry Department of Malaysia to contain ketamine.
The court also ordered the accused to be placed under police supervision for two years upon completion of his sentence or after settling the fine.
In mitigation, the accused claimed he had smoked a cigarette offered by a friend and suspected it may have been laced with an illicit substance.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng. – DayakDaily
