Foreigner charged with drug possession and abuse

MIRI: A foreigner was brought to a magistrate’s court yesterday charged with possession and using dangerous drug.

Junal Kasim, 22, from Jolo, Sulu in the Philippine was charged under Section 12 ( 2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1952, and punishable under Section 12 (3) of the same Act.

He could be fined up to RM100,000 or five years’ jail or both on conviction.

Based on the facts of case, Junal had in his possession 0.23 grammes of methaphetamine which is listed under Part III, Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Drug Act, 1952.

He is said to have committed the offence at 10.40am on March 3, at a house at Lorong Mulia 2A-1 in Kampung Tudan here.

The accused is also facing another charge under Section 15 (1) (a) Dangerous Drugs Act, 1952 (Act 234) and punishable under Section 15 of the same Act.

He could be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed up to two years and will have to undergo observation by an officer authorised under Section 2 Drug Dependants Act ( Treatment and Rehabilitation), 1983, for not less than two years or the maximum three years, under Section 38B of Dangerous Drugs Act, 1952.

According to the charge sheet, Junal allegedly injected methamphetamine into himself at 11.35am on March 3 at the office of Narcotic Crime Investigation Division, here.

When asked if he had any thing to say, he said ‘nothing’.

Earlier, the prosecuting officers applied for a new date for further mention of the case as the chemist report was not ready yet. Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa allowed the application and set April 9 for further mention of the case.

ASP Mary Ong and Inspector Mohd Khairi Mohd Noor prosecuted.