Israeli gets 10-yr RI in charas case
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MAPUSA, JAN 30
Special Judge of the NDPS Court at Mapusa B P Deshpande has sentenced an Israeli youth to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, after convicting him of possessing 1.765 kilos of charas.
According to reports, PI Suraj Halarnkar of the Anti-Narcotic Cell was tipped that an Israeli national would be present at Assagao to deliver charas to prospective customers on January 8, 2008.
A trap was laid and the accused, Yair Daniel Lavon (25), was nabbed with 1.765 kilos of charas.
The prosecution examined seven witnesses in support of the case.
At the time of arguments on the point of sentence, Public Prosecutor Shiral Monteiro prayed for enhanced punishment, as the accused has been a previous convict. Counsel for the accused argued that since the percentage of the quantity of charas was not determined, a lesser punishment be inflicted on the accused.
The court, however, ruled that a sentence of 10 years would meet the ends of justice.
