KUCHING: A 34-year-old man was fined RM3,100, in default seven months imprisonment, by the Magistrate’s Court here today for possessing methamphetamine earlier this year.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali imposed the fine on Ricardo Romeo after he pleading guilty to the charge under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act.
The offence carries a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
According to the charge, Ricardo was found in possession of 0.07 gramme of methamphetamine at about 3:40 pm on March 28 in front of a small hut along Jalan Kampung Sungai Tapang in Padawan.
Facts of the case revealed that a police team, from the Padawan District Police Headquarters’ Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, arrested Ricardo during operations after suspecting him of involvement in drug-related activities.
A subsequent inspection conducted by a police officer uncovered a small transparent plastic packet containing crystalline substances suspected to be syabu on the ground near where the accused was standing.
Following the arrest, a police report was lodged and the seized substance was sent to the Department of Chemistry Malaysia for laboratory analysis on April 1.
A chemistry report dated May 8 confirmed that the substance contained 0.07 gramme of methamphetamine.
Based on the findings, Ricardo was charged with possession of a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan while the accused was unrepresented.
