Man found guilty of taking drugs

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A MAN was found guilty for consuming methamphetamine, or syabu, was sentenced to serve four years in jail with immediate effect.

The defendant, Mohammad Japar Hj Mahuddin, claimed trial to the single charge of consuming the Class ‘A’ drug in 2010.

Mohammad Japar was arrested with three others suspected of drug-related activities on January 13, 2010, during a Narcotics Control Bureau raid at Jalan Rambutan in Kg Burung Pinggai.

Further investigations found that the defendant’s urine sample result was found positive with the presence of the drug.

During the trial, Mohammad Japar told the court that prior to his arrest, he was in a room with two other people who were taking drugs when he sipped from a glass, unaware that it contained methamphetamine.

He said it was his brother who had put the drug in the drink.

Delivering the verdict yesterday, presiding judge, Senior Magistrate Muhammed Faisal PDJLDDSP Hj Kefli, said there was no break in the chain evidence during the investigations, and that the defendant did not call key witnesses to testify to prove his case, including the defendant’s brother.

The court went on to say that the defendant was an unreliable witness as he kept changing histestimonies throughout the trial, and therefore failed to prove his case.

The senior magistrate said he considered imposing Mohammad Japar a probation sentence in view of the defendant’s previous conviction eight years ago for drug consumption.

However, Mohammad Japar was sentenced to serve four years in jail as the senior magistrate believed ordering a probation sentence would not benefit the defendant.

The Brunei Times