KUCHING: An unemployed man was fined RM3,000, in default eight months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here today for possessing 0.14 gramme of methamphetamine.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu imposed the sentence on Mohd Nazri Beka, 38, after he pleaded guilty 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 carries a maximum penalty of a RM100,000 fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, a police team from the Padawan District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division, raided a numbered room at a room-for-rent premises in MJC New Township at about 12:15 pm on January 12 this year after receiving information on suspected drug-related activities.
The accused was detained during the operations.
A body search did not uncover any illegal items.
However, a further inspection of the room led police to discover a black plastic container on the floor containing a small transparent plastic packet and a cut white straw with red stripes, both filled with crystal-like substances suspected to be methamphetamine.
The seized exhibits, initially weighing 0.46 gramme, were sent to the Chemistry Department Malaysia’s Kuching branch for analysis on January 20.
A chemistry report dated March 3 confirmed the substances contained 0.14 gramme of methamphetamine.
Following the report, Nazri was charged with possession of dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani, appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.
