A man in Sabah was sentenced to life imprisonment and 6 strokes of rotan by the Sessions Court after he was found guilty of possessing and planting 12 cannabis trees, 2 years ago.
According to Berita Harian, Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud passed the sentence on 45-year-old Azril Surash Masree Samy after he was found guilty under Section 6B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and sentenced under Section 6B (3) of the same Act.
According to Judge Awang Kerisnada, the defence failed to raise reasonable doubts through the testimony of the accused and witnesses during the trial, the prosecution has managed to prove a prima facie case against the accused.
“Therefore, after taking into account and considering all the evidence, facts of the case, and factors of public interest, the court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment and 6 whipping,” he said.
The accused was arrested by a team of officers and members of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division from the Tawau District Police Headquarters (IPD) when they raided a two-story terrace house at Taman Mega Ria, Batu 3 Jalan Air Panas, at about 5.30 a.m. on 3 August 2020.
When questioned, the accused admitted to being aware that the type of plant was indeed marijuana and informed that he was planting it for leisure.
The accused was also sentenced to 14 months imprisonment on 22 April last year after pleading guilty to the charge under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act for possession of cannabis.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy prosecutor Raya Mohd Suhaimi Suriana while the accused was represented by lawyers Mark Rosaidey and Muhammad Nazreen Jaafar.
Do you think this is a heavy sentence? Share your thoughts!
