The Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Court-I on Saturday awarded severe punishment to four accused in a major drug trafficking case involving the seizure of 22.60 kg heroin worth ₹130 crore smuggled from Africa three years ago.
Judge K.P. Anilkumar, who pronounced the verdict, sentenced the main accused, Santosh Lal, 43, of Sreekaryam, and Ramesh, 33, of Chaikkottukonam, to 60 years of rigorous imprisonment each along with a fine of ₹4 lakh each.
The other two accused, Binukuttan, 46, of Kilimanoor, and Shaji, 57, of Vellalloor, have been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each with a fine of ₹2 lakh each. The accused have been convicted under Sections 21(c), 23(c), and 29(1) read with 21(c) and 23(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers seized the contraband on September 20, 2022, from a private lodge room in Neyyattinkara. The operation turned out to be one of the largest drug seizures in the State.
The prosecution examined 13 witnesses in court. Nine material objects and 119 documents were accepted as evidence. The witnesses identified the accused and exhibits during their testimonies. Special Public Prosecutors Salish Aravindakshan and Kiran Gopinath appeared for the DRI.
Published – June 22, 2025 07:58 pm IST
