An Indonesian man has been sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane after authorities discovered more than 1kg of methamphetamine concealed on his body while he was attempting to leave Malaysia.
The 40-year-old, identified as Amriadi, received the sentence on 9 July after being convicted of drug trafficking offences involving a large quantity of methamphetamine.
According to Malaysian media reports, the drugs were discovered during a security inspection at the Tawau Ferry Terminal in Sabah.
Amriadi had been preparing to board a ferry bound for Nunukan, Indonesia, when enforcement officers stopped him for further checks.
Drugs Allegedly Hidden In Undergarments And Shoes
Authorities conducted a body search and allegedly found multiple packets of methamphetamine concealed inside women’s undergarments worn beneath his clothing.
Investigators also uncovered additional packets hidden within the soles of his shoes.
In total, officers seized approximately 1,078.9g of methamphetamine from the suspect.
The drugs were discovered before he could board the ferry and leave Malaysian territory.
Court documents reportedly stated that the concealment method appeared to be an attempt to evade detection during routine security screenings at the ferry terminal.
Court Cites Seriousness Of Drug Offence
During mitigation, Amriadi’s lawyer reportedly highlighted that his client was a first-time offender and expressed remorse for his actions.
The father-of-one, who worked as a farmer in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, also appealed for leniency.
However, prosecutors argued that the substantial quantity of drugs involved warranted a strong deterrent sentence.
They maintained that public interest and the need to combat drug trafficking outweighed the personal circumstances of the accused.
In delivering the judgment, the court noted that Amriadi had been caught while attempting to leave the country and had knowingly taken the risk of carrying the drugs through security checkpoints.
Malaysia Maintains Tough Drug Laws
Malaysia remains one of the countries with some of the region’s toughest penalties for drug trafficking offences.
Under Malaysian law, individuals convicted of trafficking certain quantities of illegal drugs may face life imprisonment, along with mandatory caning in some cases.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed that strict enforcement measures are necessary to deter cross-border drug smuggling activities.
The case serves as another reminder of the severe consequences faced by those caught transporting illegal narcotics through Malaysian entry and exit points.
Amriadi will now serve a life sentence in Malaysia and receive 12 strokes of the cane as part of his punishment.