Indian jailed for 20 years in Malaysia on drug charge

An Indian businessman was today sentenced to 20 years in jail after a Malaysian court here found him guilty on a charge of possessing 3.2 kgs of Ketamine three years ago.

High Court Judge Abdul Halim Aman ordered Kabeer Kather, 55, to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on March 26, 2012.

The charge under Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a maximum jail term of 30 years and whipping upon conviction.

The businessman was spared from whipping due to his age, state-owned Bernama news agency said.

Kather was found to have had the drug in his possession at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal Arrival Hall here on March 26, 2012.
 

He was initially charged and tried with drug trafficking under the same act, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.