Kota Kinabalu: An unemployed man was tentatively charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with drug trafficking.
Asmara Raman was accused of trafficking 50.16gm at 9.30pm on Dec 5, on a wooden bridge at Kg Sembulan Lama here.
However, no plea was taken from Asmara, who appeared before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie after the charge was read out to him.
The charge, under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, carries a punishment of either the death penalty or life in prison and whipping with a minimum of 15 strokes, on conviction.
The prosecution applied for a new mention date pending the chemist’s report and objected bail for Asmara as the charge against him has no provision for bail.
Stephanie fixed Jan 16, next year for mention and ordered Asmara to be further remanded.
Asmara was not represented.
In another case, three people were penalised for committing drug-related offences.
Daud Shah, Normaya Rupian and Noor Rufina Emam pleaded guilty separately before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles to taking syabu at different locations here and in Penampang between May and October.
Daud and Normaya were each fined RM2,300 or seven months in jail.
They were also ordered to be placed under police supervision for two years.
Noor was sentenced to seven months’ jail with effect from Oct 17.
She was ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving the sentence.
Taking drugs under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drug Act provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to two years’ jail on conviction.
Inspectors Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit and Kelvan Elson Maik prosecuted.
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