Man fined RM2,500 for drug abuse

KUCHING: The Magistrate’s Court here today fined a local man RM2,500 in default of four months in prison for abusing drugs, namely amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Harissman Abdul Hamid, 46, pleaded guilty to a charge read by the interpreter before Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Alwi.

He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 15(1) for consuming amphetamine and methamphetamine.

The offence occurred while he was detained at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of the Kuching District Police Headquarters (IPD) at around 3.30 pm on May 20, 2021.

If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison or a fine not exceeding RM5,000 and immediate supervision for up to three years.

Based on the facts of the case, during his detention at the Kuching IPD, an initial urine screening test found him positive for drugs.

The urine sample was then sent to the Pathology Department of Sarawak General Hospital, and the report confirmed that he was positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

The case was prosecuted by ASP Arman Ibrahim, while the accused was not represented by a lawyer.