By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, June 8: The High Court here has sentenced a 38-year-old man to 30 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane after finding him guilty of trafficking methamphetamine and possessing two other prohibited drugs during an operation conducted in a luxury apartment along Jalan Stutong Baru here in 2024.
In handing down the sentence on Monday, Judicial Commissioner Dean Wayne Daly ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, while the defence failed to cast reasonable doubt on the evidence presented during the trial.
The court ordered Thien Siaw Min to serve his prison term from the date of his arrest on July 13, 2024.
The conviction stemmed from a narcotics operation conducted at a luxury apartment along Jalan Stutong Baru at about 10.30pm on July 13, 2024.
Investigations led to the discovery of 527 grams of methamphetamine, which formed the basis of the trafficking charge. Authorities also recovered 4.26 grams of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 104.62 grams of ketamine from the same premises.
Thien was charged with trafficking methamphetamine under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act. The offence carries either the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with up to 15 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
He also faced two separate possession charges under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act involving the MDMA and ketamine. The offences are punishable under Section 12(3), which provides for a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Throughout the trial, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fillanny Siji called eight witnesses in support of the prosecution’s case.
The defence, represented by lawyers Steven Beti and Gerald Empaling Donald, presented two witnesses, namely the accused and his wife.
After considering the testimony and evidence from both sides, the court found Thien guilty on all three charges and imposed the sentence accordingly. — DayakDaily
