Two Nigerians get 10-yr RI for possessing heroin

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 12

A local court has awarded 10-year rigorous imprisonment to two Nigerians for illegally possessing heroin.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajit Atri has also imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh each on them. The convicts have been identified as Alitumo and Ikechukwu Orji, both citizens of Nigeria, but currently staying in Delhi.

According to the prosecution, on June 27, 2017, an intelligence officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) received secret information about two Nigerians coming to Chandigarh to deliver the contraband.

According to information, the two Nigerians would reach Chandigarh between 10.30 am and 11.30 am in a white Swift Dzire car bearing Delhi registration number to deliver nearly 600 grams of heroin.

Following the tip-off, the Superintendent, NCB, constituted a team for conducting surveillance near the entry point of Chandigarh.

The NCB team saw a car coming from the Ambala side towards Chandigarh. As the team signalled the car to stop, the two tried to run away but were caught. They were brought to the NCB office where 536 grams of heroin was recovered from their possession.

Following the seizure, a case under Sections 8, 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act was registered against them at the NCB, Zonal Unit, Chandigarh.

After hearing the arguments, the court held them guilty. While pleading leniency, the convicts said they were sole bread earners of their families, who live in Nigeria, and there is no one else to look after them. Whereas the special public prosecutor submitted that huge recovery had been effected from the convicts, which is commercial quantity and the convicts be given maximum sentence.

“The recovery of the contraband from the conscious possession of the convicts is 536 grams of heroin which is commercial quantity as per the Act,” observed the court.

“The social impact of the crime under the NDPS Act is not only on the health of society but also on the social order and public interest. Keeping in view the provisions as well as the quantity of heroin recovered from the convicts, which falls in commercial quantity, the convicts are sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment under Sections 21 (c) and 29 of the NDPS Act,” read the court order.