KUCHING: A repeat drug offender was sentenced by the Sessions Court here today to five years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the rotan for repeatedly consuming amphetamine and methamphetamine despite having two previous convictions for the same offence.
Judge Musli Abdul Hamid imposed the sentence on Mohd Shahril Gorot, 37, after he pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.
The court ordered that the prison sentence take effect consecutively from any imprisonment term that the accused is currently serving.
Upon completing his custodial sentence, Shahril is also required to undergo police supervision at the Bau Police Station in accordance with Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The charge stated that he tested positive for dangerous drugs, namely amphetamine and methamphetamine, at the Kuching District Narcotics Crime Investigation Department office at 9:35 pm on April 11 this year.
At the time of the offence, he had already been convicted twice for drug self-administration under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 by the Kuching Magistrates’ Court on April 23, 2024.
According to the facts of the case, a police team arrested the accused and obtained a urine sample for drug screening.
An initial urine screening tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, prompting his arrest under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The urine sample was subsequently sent to the Pathology Department of Sarawak General Hospital for analysis.
A chemist’s report later confirmed that the sample contained amphetamine and methamphetamine, both of which are listed as dangerous drugs under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In view of his two previous convictions for the same offence, Shahril was charged under the enhanced punishment provision of Section 39C(1)(b), which provides for imprisonment of between five and seven years, along with up to three strokes of the rotan upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Adriana Maisarah Mohd Farid, prosecuted.
The accused was unrepresented.
