Jordanie
The Court of Cassation in Jordan has upheld a State Security Court (SSC) ruling from August 2022, sentencing a drug dealer to over three years in prison for possessing illegal narcotics in Amman in March 2022. The defendant was convicted of obtaining illegal narcotics with the intent to sell them to an undercover agent in the Marka neighborhood on March 10.
The SSC initially sentenced the defendant to five years in prison and imposed a JDs,000 fine. However, the court decided to reduce the prison term to three years and four months and the fine to JDè,500, aiming to provide the defendant with a second chance.
According to court documents, the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learned of the defendant's possession of illegal narcotics and arranged for an agent to pose as a buyer. The agent contacted the defendant and requested seven Captagon pills and a small quantity of hashish in exchange for JD25. Upon meeting, AND agents arrested the suspect and subsequently found additional illegal narcotics at his residence.
The defendant contested the SSC's ruling, arguing that the court lacked solid evidence for conviction and that the punishment was harsh given his family responsibilities. However, the SSC prosecution office requested the higher court to uphold the sentence and fine.
The Court of Cassation maintained that the SSC had followed proper procedures in issuing the sentence, noting that the defendant had willingly confessed to possessing the illegal drugs for sale in the local market.
This ruling underscores Jordan's commitment to enforcing its drug laws and the judiciary's role in upholding sentences that align with legal standards and societal expectations.
