Karnataka: Five including Republic of South Sudan national convicted in NDPS case

Mangaluru: The Principal District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru has convicted five individuals in a major NDPS case involving the possession and trafficking of MDMA. Judge Basavaraj pronounced the quantum of punishment on Saturday.

The convicted individuals are Lual Daniel Justin Boulo alias Danny (25), a native of Republic of South Sudan, currently residing in Bengaluru; Mohammed Rameez ( 24), from Uppala, Kasargod district of Kerala; Mohiddin Rashid ( 24), from Shiriya in Kasaragod; Abdul Rauf alias Tough Rauf (35), also from Uppala in Kasargod; and Sabitha alias Chinchu ( 25), a native of Tamil Nadu currently residing at Madivala in Bengaluru.

Public Prosector Judith Judith O M Crasta said that Under Section 21(C) of the NDPS Act, the court sentenced Boulo, Rashid and Sabitha to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment each along with a fine of Rs 1,25,000 each. In the event of failure to pay the fine, they will each undergo an additional four months of rigorous imprisonment.

Rameez was sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1,45,000, with a default sentence of six months’ rigorous imprisonment.

Rauf received a sentence of 13 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,35,000, failing which he will undergo five months of rigorous imprisonment.

Additionally, all five accused were convicted under Section 27(B) of the NDPS Act for consumption of narcotic substances and were sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 each, with a default sentence of one month of rigorous imprisonment. The court also ordered the confiscation of the car, which had been used for transporting the narcotics.

A police team led by SI Pradeep TR had intercepted a car near Padil on June 15, 2022 based on a tip off about transportation of drugs that Inspector Mahesh Prasad received. Upon searching, police found 135 grams of methamphetamine from the accused. While Louis Daniel Justin Boulo had supplied the drugs to Mahammad Rameez.

The Mangaluru CEN Crime Police had registered a case under Sections 21, 21(C ) and 27(b) of the NDPS Act. Inspector Sathish MP had conducted an investigation and submitted a chargesheet to the court.

The Public Prosecutor said that the South Sudan national was overstaying in India even after his student visa had expired in May 2019. While Rameez has two cases under the NDPS Act pending against him, Rauf is also a habitual offender. The court had not granted bail to Boulo and Rameez. Meanwhile, Rashid, Raufand Sabitha were arrested and sent to judicial custody after the verdict.

The court examined 24 witnesses and marked 172 documents. The accused were held guilty under Sections 21, 21(C ) and 27(b) of the NDPS Act on December 1.