KUCHING: Two repeat drug offenders were each sentenced to more than five years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here after pleading guilty to self-administering dangerous drugs.
Vincent Anong Win was sentenced to five years and two months’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane while Nur Muhamaad Zaitul Ikhmal Reki received five years and three months’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane.
Judge Iris Awen Jon also ordered both men to undergo two years of police supervision upon completion of their respective prison sentences pursuant to Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Both accused admitted to offences under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act due to their previous convictions.
In Vincent’s case, the offence was committed on Oct 11, 2024 at about 10.15pm at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department Office, IPD Serian.
A team from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) conducted a urine screening test on him, which returned positive results for amphetamine and methamphetamine.
A confirmatory laboratory analysis by the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) later verified that his urine specimen contained both substances.
The court was informed that Vincent had three prior convictions under Section 15(1)(a), all recorded in 2023 at the Serian Magistrates’ Court. In those earlier cases, he had been sentenced to fines and imprisonment terms ranging from eight to 10 months, together with supervision orders.
In a separate case, Nur Muhamaad committed the offence on Jan 21, 2025 at about 3.25pm at the Kuching Police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) Office.
He was subjected to a urine test which returned positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, and a subsequent laboratory report from the SGH confirmed the presence of both drugs, which are listed under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The accused had two previous convictions under Section 15(1)(a), both dated May 14, 2024.
As repeat offenders, both men were liable to enhanced punishment under Section 39C(1)(b), which provides for imprisonment of up to seven years, and whipping of up to three strokes.
Vincent’s case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian while Nur Muhamaad’s case was handled by deputy public prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng. Both accused were unrepresented during the court proceedings.
