Ex-varsity student gets 30 years for drug trafficking

Former university student Muhammad Nur Arif Nur Akil, 26, was sentenced to 30 years’ jail and 12 strokes of the cane by the High Court yesterday for trafficking nearly 2kg of cannabis four years ago.

Judge Datuk Rohani Ismail handed down the sentence after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence, and ordered the jail term run from the date of arrest on Sept 2, 2020.

“Previously, the court found you guilty under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

“After considering the mitigation appeal presented through your lawyer and the aggravating factors raised by the prosecution, I have decided to impose a 30-year jail sentence from the date of arrest and 12 strokes,” she said.

According to the charge, Muhammad Nur Arif, who was then a student at a private university in Selangor, was found trafficking cannabis weighing 1.9kg at the parking lot of a supermarket at around 5.30pm on Sept 2, 2020.

The offence was committed under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B (2) of the same Act.

A total of 10 witnesses were called throughout the trial, which commenced on April 10, 2023.

Earlier, lawyer Shah Rizal Abdul Manan appealed that a prison sentence be imposed on his client, taking into account his age and promising future upon release, as well as the fact that it was his first offence.

However, DPP Ala’uddin Baharom requested the death penalty, taking into account public interest, including preventive factors and punishment.

“This is a case of trafficking, and it can be proven directly without any presumption. Whether it is a soft or hard drug, it does not matter because the negative effects remain the same.

“That is why the country prohibits all drugrelated activities unless licenced. In this case, he was a university student and should be aware of the consequences and effects of involvement in drugs.”