Filipino gets five years, 10 lashes over syabu

LABUAN: The Sessions Court sentenced a jobless Filipino to five years’ jail plus 10 strokes of the cane for possessing 38.89 grams of syabu.

Judge Indra Hj Ayub imposed the sentence on Jimhar Salim, 20, after the latter pleaded guilty to the charge framed under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39A (2) of the same Act.

The indictment carries life imprisonment or a jail term of not less than five years and whipping of not less than 10 strokes of the cane, if found guilty.

Jimhar had in his possession the drugs at the Halal Hub industry at kampung Kiansam in Labuan at 6.40pm on March 6.

Based on the facts of the case, the accused was arrested by police personnel during Ops Tapis, which was conducted around the said area.

Policemen, during the patrol, saw a car parked at a road end near the Halal Hub jetty and stopped next to it.

Suddenly, a man, who was later known as the accused, darted out of the car into the nearby bushes in an attempt to escape from the police.

At the same time, the car accelerated and fled the area. The police failed to catch it.

Meanwhile, the accused was arrested by the police and a body check was done where a plastic packet of crystallized substance was found in the front pocket of his shorts.