Mumbai Court Sentences Eight Pakistan Nationals to 20 Years for Major Heroin Seizure

INIndia|

A special court in Mumbai has sentenced eight Pakistani nationals to 20 years in prison after their conviction for smuggling 232 kilograms of heroin valued at nearly ₹7 crore (approximately $840,000) off the Gujarat coast in 2015. The ruling was delivered by Special Judge Shashikant Bangar under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, marking the maximum possible punishment for the offenses involved.

The accused were apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard during a patrol, where they were found aboard a boat carrying 11 drums containing 20 plastic pouches holding the narcotic substance. Additional electronic devices, including three satellite phones and GPS navigation charts, were also seized from them. Each convict has been fined ₹2 lakh (approximately $2,400) in addition to the prison sentence.

During the trial, Special Public Prosecutor Sumesh Punjwani advocated for the maximum sentence as a warning to other drug traffickers. Conversely, the defense requested leniency, arguing for a lighter punishment. However, the court maintained its stance and denied any leniency.

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