KOCHI: The Additional Sessions Court, Ernakulam, has awarded ten years of rigorous imprisonment to three persons accused in a case related to smuggling of 1.988 kg of heroin through the Nedumbassery airport in 2014.
First accused Ajith E S of Idukki was awarded a fine of `2 lakh also, for possession of drugs and attempt to illegally export it, while second accused Fahad K of Kannur and third accused Ajmal V P of Kannur were awarded fine of `1 lakh each for conspiring to illegally export heroin.
Acting on a tip-off, the Narcotics Control Bureau, Kochi Sub-zone, apprehended Ajith at the airport on November 13, 2014, while trying to smuggle out the contraband to Kuwait. Later, the two other accused were arrested.
In the trial of the case, M V S Nampoothiry represented the prosecution. It was the first among a series of drug seizures, in which the NCB-Kochi foiled attempts to smuggle heroin to Kuwait.
On December 16, 2014, the NCB seized 0.395 kg of heroin at the Kochuveli railway station, which was destined to Maldives, and arrested three persons.