In a significant judgment, a special court in Mumbai sentenced eight Pakistani nationals to 20 years of imprisonment for their involvement in a drug trafficking case from 2015.
The case revolved around the seizure of 232 kilograms of heroin, valued at nearly ₹7 crore, off the Gujarat coast.
The verdict was delivered by Shashikant Bangar, a special judge for cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The court imposed the maximum punishment under the NDPS Act on the convicts, alongside a fine of ₹2 lakh each. Special Public Prosecutor Sumesh Punjwani advocated for the strictest penalty, arguing that it would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug smuggling.
The defence, however, sought leniency, which the court firmly denied.
The case dates back to 2015 when the Indian Coast Guard intercepted a boat near the Gujarat coast carrying 232 kilograms of heroin. The heroin, packed in 20 plastic pouches stored in 11 drums, was tested and confirmed to be narcotics.
The Coast Guard also discovered three satellite phones, GPS navigation charts, and other electronic devices on board the vessel.
The accused were handed over to the Yellow Gate police station in south Mumbai, where further investigations were conducted.
Prosecutors highlighted the severe implications of drug trafficking and emphasised the need for a strong legal stance to prevent such activities in the future.
Follow us
