SHAH ALAM, Monday 28 February 2011 (Bernama) -- A factory worker was sentenced to death by the High Court here today after he was found guilty of trafficking in 295.01 grammes of cannabis two years ago.

Justice Datuk Wira Mohtarudin Baki handed down the sentence on Mohd Kamarulzaman Irwan Shah after finding that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubts against the prosecution case.

Mohd Kamarulzaman, who will be 25 tomorrow, was charged with committing the offence at a house at Jalan Kenanga Sari 3A, Bandar Sungai Buaya, Rawang near here, about 7am on May 16, 2009.

He was charged under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act which carried the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

In his judgment, Mohtarudin said that the defence by Mohd Kamarulzaman that the door knob to his room was damaged was an after thought.

He said that based on the testimony by the prosecution witnesses, Mohd Kamarulzaman's room was locked and that he had the key to the room.

"You were offered an alternative charge at the early stage of the case, but you rejected it, and this is a very serious gamble and a dangerous one.

"Based on evidence, it was clear that you had control and knowledge of the drug. Therefore, you are guilty and there is only one sentence under the law, that is, death," he added.

Mohd Kamarulzaman looked calm when Mohtarudin handed down the sentence, but his family members, who were in the public gallery, broke down and wept.

Deputy public prosecutor Rosidah Abu Bakar prosecuted, while Mohd Kamarulzaman was represented by lawyer Adi Harman Mawardi.