THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 56-year-old Tamil Nadu native, considered to be one of the prominent drug wholesale dealers in Kerala, was awarded 6-year rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh in connection with a two-year-old ganja seizure case.
Shankhili Of Uthamapalayam near Theni was sentenced by additional sessions judge P N Seetha in connection with the seizure of two kg ganja from one his accomplices when the latter landed in the city. Prabhakaran, 52, of Udumbanchola was apprehended by the police anti-narcotics squad near the railway quarters at Thampanoor on June 20, 2016.
During interrogation, Prabhakaran revealed Shankhili had arranged the narcotics. Shankhili had similar cases against him at various Excise units in the state. The duo used to smuggle ganja from Andhra Pradesh to Kerala.
Based on Prabhakaran’s statement, Shankhili was arraigned and arrested from Theni. It was revealed the duo had met in prison.
The prosecution, represented by public prosecutor M Salahudeen, presented seven witnesses during the trial.