Sundargarh: Hearing a case of 2022, a court in Sundargarh town of this district today sentenced 12 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to five ganja (cannabis) smugglers and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each.

The five persons will undergo imprisonment for an additional period of six months, in case they fail to pay the fine amount, the Additional Sessions Judge court ordered.

The convicts were identified as residents of Chandauli and Sonbhadra of Uttar Pradesh.

According to a source, acting on a tip-off on March 1, 2022, a team of Rajgangpur police had previously intercepted a car. Later, during a thorough search, more than four quintals of ganja were recovered and seized from the vehicle. Police arrested the five illegal traders in this connection and launched a detailed investigation. The probe team forwarded them to a local court.

There is no criminal antecedent against the convicts as it has not been proved in the case.

Notably, the quantum of punishment was pronounced under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the NDPS Act.