Kota Kinabalu: A 53-year-old farmer was fined RM12,000 or 12 months' jail by the Sessions Court here for possessing 10,290ml of liquid containing the psychotropic substance mitragynine, commonly known as ketum.
Jeffry Joanes pleaded guilty before Judge Hurman Hussain after the charge was read and explained to him in the Dusun language.
The court heard that police discovered the ketum liquid after raiding a house in Kampung Bongkud, Ranau at 5pm on Aug 7 following a tip-off, where Jeffry subsequently admitted ownership of the seized substance.
Pleading for leniency, the unrepresented father of ten requested a minimal fine on grounds that he is the sole breadwinner supporting his large family and non-working wife.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Bryan Francis prosecuted the offence framed under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952, punishable under Section 30(5) of the same Act, and urged the court to hand down a deterrent sentence, citing public interest and the prevalence of such cases.
