KUCHING: The Magistrates’ Court here today ordered a 31-year-old man to pay a total fine of RM8,600 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing methamphetamine earlier this year.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali imposed a fine of RM4,300 for each charge on Aliff Abdul Rahman.
In default, he faces 11 months’ imprisonment for the first offence and 10 months’ imprisonment for the second.
Aliff, who was unrepresented, admitted to committing both offences under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, Aliff was first detained at 3.25 pm on Jan 5 along the sidewalk in front of Fata Hotel at Jalan Tabuan here after police found him in a suspicious state.
A search led to the discovery of a transparent plastic packet containing crystalline substances believed to be methamphetamine.
Subsequent laboratory analysis by the Chemistry Department confirmed that the seized substance weighed 4.63 grammes and contained methamphetamine, a drug listed under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In a separate but related incident about 10 minutes later, Aliff was again implicated after police inspected a Perodua Bezza parked at the hotel’s front parking area.
A black backpack found in the vehicle contained a tin with two packets of crystalline substances.
Further analysis confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine, weighing 4.71 grammes.
Investigations established that Aliff had possession, knowledge, and control over the drugs in both instances.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly prosecuted the case.
