SINGAPORE: A man who jumped bail and fled to
Malaysia while awaiting trial for drug trafficking has been
sentenced to 22 years' jail and 15 strokes of the
cane.
The court found 29-year-old Irfan Ahmed Khan guilty
of several offences.
These include trafficking methamphetamine,
possessing offensive weapons and attacking police officers.
Irfan skipped town after he was granted a day's bail to get married
in June last year.
He did not turn up for his wedding solemnisation and failed to show
up in court on June 7, 2011.
A warrant of arrest was issued against him.
After 17 days on the run, he was caught in Johor on June 23.
More than three-quarters of the bail amount of S$100,000 put up by
his family had been forfeited.
Investigations revealed that Irfan sought refuge at his
brother-in-law's home and ignored advice to turn himself in.
A few days later, he escaped to Malaysia with the help of an
accomplice.
He hid among several large rattan baskets containing vegetables on
his friend's lorry, which was bound for Johor Bahru.
He was arrested in a joint operation by Singapore's Central
Narcotics Bureau and its Malaysian counterpart.
- CNA/cc