35-year-old claims trial to drug possession

KUCHING: A 35-yearold man charged with possessing 31.88grammes of methamphetamine claimed trial in the Sessions Court here yesterday.

The accused, Iswandi Ismail from Kampung Tabuan Foochow, appeared before Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman who set March 1 for further mention pending a chemist report.

He was denied bail and ordered to be further remanded in prison pending the disposal of the case.

Iswandi allegedly committed the offence at an unnumbered house in Kampung Tabuan Ulu about 1pm on Feb 1 when he was detained by a police team during a raid.

He is charged under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39A(2) of the same act that carries a life jail term or not less than five years in prison and not less than 10 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

Meanwhile, in a Magistrates ’ Court, Iswandi was fined RM2,500 in default four months’ jail following his admission to taking amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Magistrate Zulhairil Sulaiman also made an order for him to undergo supervision for two years after considering the guilty plea and mitigation, facts of the case, seriousness of the offence as well as public interest.

He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the same act.

A urine test conducted on him at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department of the Kuching District police headquarters tested positive for the drugs.