KUCHING: A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court for repeated drug abuse involving syabu.
Athanasius Augustine, from Kampung Sungai Nada, pleaded guilty to a charge read before Judge Musli Abdul Hamid.
According to the charge, he had two prior records in April and November 2023 under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
For the present offence, he was found to have taken methamphetamine and amphetamine.
He was arrested and brought to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) at the Kuching District Police Headquarters at about 2.15 am on Mar 3, 2025.
The offence was prosecuted under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.
Section 15(1)(a) provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
Meanwhile, Section 39C(1)(b) carries a penalty of five to seven years’ imprisonment and up to three strokes of the cane upon conviction.
The court also ordered him to be placed under the supervision of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) for two years after completing his jail sentence.
Based on the facts of the case, police detained a man suspected of repeated drug abuse and brought him to the police station for investigation.
An initial urine screening test returned positive for drugs.
A report by the Pathology Department of Sarawak General Hospital later confirmed that the accused tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Asmawi Nur Haqim Mokhtar, while the accused was unrepresented.
