Bartender claims trial to drug possession

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KUCHING: A bartender charged with possessing 17.32g of MDMA and 8.14g Ketamine claimed trial in the magistrates’ court.

On Monday, 34-year-old Lam Tieng Siong from Sibu appeared before Magistrate Maris Agan who released him on RM6,000 bail in one surety while the trial was set for Jan 2 and Jan 3.

Lam allegedly possessed both the drugs when detained in front of his workplace, a night spot, at Jalan Abel at about 2am on Sept 6.

He is charged under Section 39A(1) which provides for an imprisonment term which shall not be less than two years but not exceed five years, and with whipping of not less than three strokes but not more than nine strokes for possessing the 17.32g MDMA.

Meanwhile the other charge comes under Section 12(2) of the same act and is punishable with a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment term not exceeding five years or both.

Lam initially faced the death sentence penalty for possessing 63.03g MDMA but it was found to weigh only 17.32g when sent to the chemist for investigation.

The prosecution applied for Lam’s original charge which carries a mandatory death sentence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act to be dropped.

Lam was discharged not amounting to acquittal from the original charge and a fresh charge filed, in which he maintained his innocence.

It was said a police team spotted a man wandering in a suspicious manner in front of the night spot.

When detained, four candy canisters were found in his left pocket. Each of the canisters contained nine transparent plastic of crystal clear substances suspected to be Ketamine weighing about 9.50g, 80 green tablets, 70 brown tablets and 40 pink tablets believed to be Ecstasy pills.

A mini weighing scale was also found in his pocket.

The accused’s handphone and ATM card were also seized from him during the arrest.

Counsel Lim Lian Kee defended Lam while DPP Shamira Khalili prosecuted.