By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Sept 17: A male drug addict was sentenced to five years and 11 months in prison, along with two strokes of the cane, by the Sessions Court here today for repeated drug use involving methamphetamine.
The accused, Haslan Mahmudi, pleaded guilty to the charge read before Judge Iris Awen Jon.
According to the charge, he had two prior convictions, dated Nov 16 and July 29, 2023, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
For the latest offence, he was found to have consumed methamphetamine and amphetamine again during his arrest by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of the Kuching District Police Headquarters at approximately 12.35pm on February 20, 2023.
He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.
Section 15(1)(a) of the Act provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Meanwhile, Section 39C(1)(b) prescribes a mandatory minimum imprisonment of five years and a maximum of seven years, along with up to three strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
Additionally, the court ordered Haslan to be placed under police supervision for two years following his prison term.
According to the case facts, the police arrested the local man on suspicion of repeated drug abuse. A preliminary urine test revealed the accused was positive for drugs.
A laboratory report from the Pathology Department of Sarawak General Hospital confirmed that the accused had tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian prosecuted the case, while the accused was not represented by legal counsel. — DayakDaily
