A special court in Gujarat’s Kutch district has handed down 20-year rigorous imprisonment to six Pakistani nationals for trying to smuggle heroin worth over Rs 380 crore into India via its waters. The Sixth Additional Sessions and Special NDPS Court in Bhuj, led by Judge V.A. Badhu, found the accused guilty under the NDPS Act. The court described the smuggling attempt as a deliberate move to lure Indian youth into addiction and harm the nation’s fabric through widespread drug supply.
The court emphasized that drug abuse is not just an individual problem but can escalate into a national crisis with implications for internal security. The case traces back to December 2021 when the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad received intelligence about heroin being transported by a Pakistani vessel named “Al Husseini” from Karachi. Acting on this tip, the ATS, in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, conducted a joint operation between December 18 and 20, 2021.
During surveillance in the Arabian Sea, a suspicious boat was spotted on radar around 2:30 a.m. on December 20. Coast Guard units intercepted the vessel and apprehended six Pakistani fishermen onboard. A search revealed five large bags containing 76,936 grams of heroin valued at Rs 384.68 crore, without proper authorization.
Following a complaint by ATS Police Inspector M.C. Nayak, a case was filed under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. The accused, all residents of Karachi, were identified during the trial, which included 203 documentary pieces of evidence and testimony from 13 witnesses. After examining the evidence and arguments, the court convicted all six individuals, sentencing each to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs two lakh fine.
