A special court in the Indian city of Mumbai on Wednesday (Jan 1) sentenced eight Pakistani nationals to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case of the seizure of over 200 kilogrammes of drugs valued at nearly $816,249 (Rs 7 crore).

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According to a report by the news agency PTI, the case dates back to 2015, when the Indian Coast Guard apprehended the accused persons from a boat carrying the aforementioned massive quantity of drugs off the Gujarat coast. 

Drug seized was heroin

There were 11 drums on the boat with 20 plastic pouches containing a wheatish brown colour powder. Upon testing, it was found the power was heroin.

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The accused eight Pakistani nationals were also found in possession of three satellite phones and GPS navigation charts, among other electronic devices.

Jail term handed under NDPS Act

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The PTI report said that the Special Judge for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases, Shashikant Bangar, convicted the eight Pakistani nationals for offences committed under the anti-drug law.

Under the NDPS Act, the convicts were handed over a 20-year jail term. The court also imposed a fine of $2,332 on each of them.

Special Public Prosecutor Sumesh Punjwani had sought maximum punishment for the convicts, saying it could be a lesson for other drug traffickers.

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The defence counsel, however, submitted that a lenient view be taken.

After hearing both sides, the court refused to show leniency and sentenced the accused persons to maximum punishment. 

(With inputs from agencies)