Grass Cutter Jailed 30 Years, Caned For Drug Trafficking

SHAH ALAM, April 28 (Bernama) -- The High Court here today sentenced a Pakistani grass cutter to 30 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane after finding him guilty of trafficking 1.4 kilogrammes (kg) of cannabis in 2020.

Judge Datuk Seri Latifah Mohd Tahar ordered Ali Sajjad, 34, to serve the jail term effective from the date of his arrest on Dec 4, 2020.

In her judgment, Latifah said the court found the defence to be a mere denial without supporting evidence that the drugs discovered were not in the possession, custody and control of the accused.

She said during the defence stage, only the accused testified, while several friends who were said to be living with him were not called as witnesses to confirm that he had no connection with the drugs.

“The amount of drugs, 1,404.3 grammes, is substantial and although the accused claimed that the cannabis found on him was for personal use, the defence failed to rebut the presumption of trafficking against him.

“The court also took into account that the drugs found on the accused and those discovered in the (residence) unit were of the same type, namely cannabis,” said the judge at the conclusion of the defence case.

Ali was charged with committing the offence at a premises in Seri Kembangan on Dec 4, 2020, under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohammed Heikal Ismail sought the death penalty against the accused, citing the seriousness of the case.

“Although it was said that the accused, who is a foreign national, came to this country to earn a living, he did not respect Malaysian laws,” he said.

Counsel Sarasmala Esprain, representing the accused, pleaded for a lighter sentence on the grounds that her client earned a low income as a grass cutter and supported a family in Pakistan, in addition to having cooperated fully throughout the proceedings and expressing remorse for his actions.

-- BERNAMA