MAN GETS 30 YEARS' JAIL, 12 STROKES OF CANE FOR TRAFFICKING DRUGS

SIBU, March 12 (Bernama) -- A 32-year-old man was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane by the High Court here today for trafficking 717.67 grammes of methamphetamine in December 2023.

Justice Wong Siong Tung meted out the sentence to Wong Kieng Li after finding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking the drugs.

The court, however, declined to impose the death penalty and ordered that the life imprisonment term begin from the date of Wong’s arrest on Dec 12, 2023.

“Having considered the submissions of both parties, the mitigating and aggravating factors, the quantity of drugs involved and the circumstances of the case, the court declines to impose the death penalty,” Justice Wong said.

Wong was charged with trafficking 717.67 grammes of methamphetamine in a car along Jalan Oya at about 5 pm on Dec 12, 2023.

The court heard that the accused collected a parcel containing drugs from a cargo counter at Sibu Bus Terminal and placed it in his vehicle, but in his defence, Wong testified he was only helping a friend known as “Bai Mau” retrieve a package he believed contained LED lights.

The court found that the accused had custody and control of the parcel, triggering the statutory presumption of possession and knowledge under the act, but rejected Wong's explanation as he failed to provide meaningful details about the alleged friend or produce witnesses to support the claim.

The judge also pointed to inconsistencies in the accused’s testimony, including providing an incorrect identity card number and a false phone number when collecting the parcel.

“These circumstances collectively render the accused’s version inherently improbable and incapable of raising any reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case,” Justice Wong said.

Earlier during mitigation, defence counsel Daren Ling said the accused, who is married with two children aged 12 and nine, was the sole breadwinner of his family before his arrest.

He said the accused had cooperated with police throughout the investigation and urged the court not to impose the death penalty.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto argued that the large quantity of drugs involved and the accused’s active role in transporting them warranted a severe sentence.

-- BERNAMA