Miri man fined RM2,000 for drug abuse

MIRI (Aug 5): A 50-year-old man was fined RM2,000 in default two months in prison by the Magistrates’ Court here today after pleading guilty to abusing drugs two months ago.

He paid the fine.

Senior Assistant Registrar Mohammad Helmi Ahmad Jani, who convicted Andrew Ngarega of Sungai Rait here, also ordered for him to undergo supervision for two years.

Andrew was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable under Section 15(1) of the same Act.

The Section carries a jail sentence of up to two years, or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, and immediate supervision for a period not exceeding three years.

According to the facts of the case, Andrew was tested positive for abusing the drug Amphetamine and Methamphetamine, which are listed in the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 at Miri District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department around 10.05am on May 28.

In mitigation, Andrew pleaded for a lenient sentence, citing his first-time offence and unstable income as a self-employed individual.

Insp Mudzilawati Abdul Rahman prosecuted the case, while Andrew was unrepresented by a legal counsel.