Borneo Bulletin, Bandar Seri Begawan, 21 June 2001

Two get 20 years jail for trafficking drugs

A 26-year-old security guard, Mohd Yussof bin Metussin, and his friend, Hj Rosle bin Hj Hussin, were sent to 20 years in jail and 20 strokes of the rattan after being found guilty by the court of trafficking 52.13200 grammes of syabu.

Judge David John Leonard imposed 20 years jail term for the first charge of unauthorised trafficking of the said drug under Section 3(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) and imposed a prison term of 11 years for the second charge of possessing the drug for the purpose of trafficking under Section 3A of the MDA.

He ordered the sentence to run concurrently as urged by the defendant's lawyer, Hj Zul Sakarla bin Hj Zul Kiflie.

Section 3(a) of the MDA carries a minimum sentence of 20 years jail and 15 strokes of the cane, whereas Section 3A carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and 5 strokes.

On the charges of consumption preferred against both the defendants, Judge Leonard fined them $1,500 or in default three months jail.

And on an additional charge of possessing 2.977 grammes of syabu against Hj Rosle, the court fined him $3,000 or in default six months jail.

Both defendants had pleaded guilty earlier to the charges of consumption and possession preferred against them, the court was told.

They both were found guilty of all the charges after being tried in the High Court where Deputy Public Prosecutor Aldila binte Hj Mohd Salleh and Ak Mohd Khairul Nizam bin Pg Hj Mohd Yassin prosecuted in the case.

The court was told that both the defendants have no prior convictions for drug offences but Mohd Yussof has a previous conviction for an attempted theft.

Judge Leonard ordered the default sentences to run consecutively with the other charges and also for the forfeiture of all the seized drugs.

The court was told that the duo was arrested on September 28 last year at house No: 3, Simpang 9, Jalan 39, Perumahan Kampong Rimba, Gadong.