A worker responsible for maintaining the facilities at a mosque was apprehended by police officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) after they discovered drug paraphernalia and cannabis mixtures at the place of worship, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia.
The individual, named Mohammad Asyrafuddin Jupri and aged 31, admitted to consuming methamphetamine in order to enhance his energy levels for work.
On Wednesday, June 21, he was sentenced to one year in jail for drug possession and consumption, while three additional charges were taken into consideration.
According to court records, Asyrafuddin was employed at the Yushof Ishak Mosque located at 10 Woodlands Drive. Additionally, he worked part-time as a confined-area rescuer.
On October 28, 2022, CNB officers arrested him in close proximity to the mosque. Subsequently, a search was conducted on the fifth level of the mosque, where Asyrafuddin resided.
CNB officers then conducted a search of his room, as well as recovered incriminating items from the ablution room, his cubicle and locker.
The officers discovered various items, which included foil-wrapped vegetable matter, packets of crystalline substances, glass and metal drug utensils, as well as a metal can containing vegetable matter.
These items were collected as evidence and forwarded to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for analysis. The HSA determined that two of the exhibits contained 15.53g and 14.99g of a cannabis mixture, respectively.
Asyrafuddin confessed to possessing these items, acknowledging that they contained “ganja,” a colloquial term for a Class A controlled drug.
Following his arrest, Asyrafuddin was taken to the Central Police Divisional Headquarters for further investigations. During the process, his urine samples tested positive for methamphetamine.
Later on, Asyrafuddin admitted that he had been smoking approximately 5g of meth, referred to as “Ice” on the streets, per month. He claimed that he relied on the drug to provide him with the necessary energy for his work.
The Deputy Public Prosecutor, Chong Kee En, requested a sentence of eight months in jail for the drug possession charge and one year in jail for the drug consumption charge. He did not object to the sentences running concurrently. Chong Kee En noted that Asyrafuddin had no prior convictions.
In agreement with the prosecution, defense lawyer Riko Isaac stated that Asyrafuddin had consumed the drugs in order to work longer hours and increase his income.