Four persons were sentenced to 12 years’ rigorous imprisonment under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the Special Court for Essential Commodities Act here on Thursday. One more accused was, however, acquitted.
According to prosecution, five persons, Pon. Muthuvel (47) of Perungulam, K. Gandhi (40) of Uchipuli, K. Murugan (39) and Muniasamy (33), both of Rameswaram, and Velayutham of Sri Lanka attempted to smuggle 17 kg of heroin to Sri Lanka. Officials of Narcotics Control Bureau, Chennai, foiled their attempt and seized the heroin kept concealed in a vehicle battery at Pudhu Madam Kadarkarai near Rameswaram.
The incident happened on February 18, 2006.
The Judge of the Special Court, P. Ravi, found four persons guilty and awarded them rigorous imprisonment of 12 years under each section. He also ordered a fine of Rs. 1.25 lakh under each section in default to undergo one-year rigorous imprisonment. The sentence would run concurrently.
The judge acquitted Velayutham of Sri Lanka.
