KUCHING: A teenage boy is facing the prospect of imprisonment and whipping after he was caught with suspected ketamine during one of two anti-drug raids conducted by the Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) in the city.
The 17-year-old was among two locals arrested in separate operations on June 18, which saw police seize a total of 35.87g of suspected ketamine worth RM5,380.
In the first raid, officers detained the youth at a house in Taman Mabel after discovering 5.50g of suspected ketamine valued at RM825.
Preliminary urine screening also found him positive for ketamine, while checks found that he is a first-time offender with no priors.
Kuching police said the case is being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a jail term of up to five years and up to nine strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
The teenager has been remanded for four days until June 23 to assist investigations.
In a separate raid at a house in Tabuan Jaya, Sarawak NCID arrested a 31-year-old local man and seized 30.37g of suspected ketamine estimated to be worth RM4,555.
Initial urine screening found him positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepines.
Background checks also revealed that he has six prior records.
The suspect has been remanded for seven days until June 26 to facilitate investigations under Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries life imprisonment or a minimum of five years’ jail, along with up to 10 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
Reiterating their commitment to combating drug-related crimes, Kuching police warned that they would not compromise with those involved in drug trafficking as possessing, distributing or protecting drug activities are serious offences under the law.
Anyone with information on drug-related activities is urged to report them to the Bukit Aman NCID Hotline at 012-208 7222 or the Sarawak NCID Hotline at 017-592 9211.
