Two get 15-year rigorous imprisonment in 141-kg ganja haul case

A Thrissur court has sentenced two men to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh each in connection with the seizure of 141 kg of ganja from a car at Kodakara nearly five years ago.

Additional District and Sessions Judge-III G.P. Jayakrishnan has pronounced the sentence after finding Tomjith, 31, of Keezhmad, Aluva, and Vincent, 35, of Choondi, Aluva, guilty in the case.

The seizure was made on August 27, 2021 on NH 544, near Apollo Tyres, at Perambra, Kodakara. A sub-division squad led by then Chalakudy Dy.SP C.R. Santhosh, along with the Kodakara police, intercepted the car travelling from Kodakara towards Chalakudy and recovered 141 kg of ganja concealed inside the vehicle.

During the trial, the prosecution told the court that the contraband was seized strictly in accordance with the procedures prescribed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Samples of the seized substance were collected in the presence of the Chalakudy Judicial Magistrate and sent for chemical examination, which confirmed that the material was ganja.

The prosecution examined 15 witnesses and produced nearly 50 documents to establish the case against the accused.