THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 10 accused in the case registered for the first time after the Excise Crime Branch came into existence in the state have been sentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of Rs 2 lakh each. The Mancheri Special NDPS Court sentenced the case of 182 kg of ganja and 1 kg of hash oil seized in Nilambur KootTampara on 17 September 2021. In the case where four persons were arrested at the scene, 11 more accused were found during the investigation conducted by the North Excise Crime Branch. Out of this, the trial of 10 accused has been completed and the sentencing has been done .

The trial of the second accused, who was recently arrested, will begin soon. A crime branch investigation revealed that the drugs were smuggled from Andhra Pradesh. The crime branch has managed to bring all those involved in this act to justice.

Minister M B Rajesh congratulated the Excise Crime Branch team for tracing the root of the drug and finding the accused and making them face punishment. This achievement is a morale booster for the entire force. This will be an inspiration in the fight against drugs. The minister said that the excise force is working to permanently stop drug trafficking through effective interventions.