KUCHING: A drug addict was sentenced to five years in prison and one stroke of the rotan by the Sessions Court on Tuesday (July 18) for his involvement in repeated cases of syabu (methamphetamine) consumption.
Ray Christson Ibsa Kekek, 27, pleaded guilty to the charge presented before Judge Musli Abdul Hamid. The accused had two previous records under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 in 2022.
For the current charge, he was accused of once again consuming the prohibited drugs amphetamine and methamphetamine on Sept 25, 2022, as discovered by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) IPD Kuching at around 12.30pm.
The prosecution for this case was made under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, with a penalty specified under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.
Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, while Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act imposes imprisonment for not less than five years and not exceeding seven years, and one stroke, upon conviction.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered him to be placed under police supervision for two years after completing his prison term.
The police arrested the accused, suspecting his involvement in repeated drug abuse activities. The initial urine screening test yielded positive results for drugs.
Subsequent analysis of the accused’s urine sample from the Pathology Department of Sarawak General Hospital confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Norshafatihah Nor Azmi while the accused did not have legal representation.
