Thiruvananthapuram other district and meeting courts on Saturday awarded four accused in the main case of drug trafficking concerning the seizure of 22.60 kg of heroin worth 130 crore smuggled from Africa three years ago.
Judge KP Anilkucar, who declared the judgment, condemned the chief accused, Santosh Lal, 43, Sreekaryam, and Ramesh, 33, from Chaikkottrukonam, 60 years of strict imprisonment after each with a fine of £ 4.
The other two accused, Binukuttan (46 years) of Kilimanoor, and Shaji, 57, from the Vlalloor, were sentenced to 20 years of strict imprisonment with a fine of 2 lakh. The defendants were convicted according to sections 21 (C), 23 (C) and 29 (1) of reading with 21 (C) and 23 (c) of the Act on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances from 1985.
The headquarters of the intelligence service (DRI) were confiscated by Passek on September 20, 2022 from the private room in Neyyattara. The operation proved to be one of the largest drug seizures in the state.
The prosecution examined 13 witnesses in court. Nine material items and 119 documents were received as evidence. Witnesses identified the accused and exhibits during their testimony. Special prosecutors Salish Aravindakshan and Kiran Gopinath appeared for DRI.
Published – June 22, 2025 17:58
