The kingpin of a gang smuggling narcotic drugs to Sri Lanka has been sentenced to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment while two of his accomplices were awarded 10-year jail terms each, by a Special Court for cases under the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act.

All three Sri Lankan nationals were nabbed by the Narcotics Control Bureau in 2004 for their involvement in the trafficking of heroin.

Considering the age, severity and nature of repeated offence and prevailing circumstances, Special Judge, M. Mony sentenced Sri Skandaraja (38), the prime accused, to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for each offence under three provisions of the NDPS Act. The sentences will run concurrently.

He also sentenced him for another ten years in a previous case in which he was an absconding convict. Fine amounting to a total of Rs. 4 lakh were imposed on him.

The court sentenced the other accused Ranganthan Prabakaran (45) and N. Kandipan (27) to 10 years’ imprisonment and ordered them to pay fine of Rs. 2 lakh each.

According to the Narcotic Control Bureau, south zonal unit, the officers had received a tip-off that Sri Skandaraja alias Suresh alias Khalifa, an absconding convict in a drug case, was indulging in drug trafficking. (Source: The Hindu)