KUCHING: A vegetable seller was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to possessing 1.27 grammes of nimetazepam back in 2012.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali imposed the sentence on 65-year-old Tan Jiunn Haur, after he admitted to an amended charge under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act
The offence provides for a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
According to the amended charge, Tan was found in possession of 1.27 grammes of nimetazepam at about 11:00 pm on February 9, 2012, in front of the lift of a prestigious hotel here.
The court heard that a team from the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters’ Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and a team from the unit of the Criminal Investigation Department detained Tan after suspecting him of involvement in drug-related activities.
During the arrest, police seized a black plastic bag he was carrying.
A search of the bag uncovered a DVD box wrapped in brown adhesive tape.
Inside the box, officers found 52 blister packs containing a total of 520 Erimin 5 pills with a gross weight of 153 grammes.
The seized exhibits were later sent to the Chemistry Department for laboratory analysis, which confirmed the presence of nimetazepam.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan while the accused was unrepresented.
