Watch: Pakistanis sentenced to prison in Cabo Delgado for drug trafficking

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Watch: Pakistanis sentenced to prison in Cabo Delgado for drug trafficking

2:02 CAT | 02 Jun 2021

Photo: TVM

Eleven Pakistani citizens, caught in possession of drugs in Pemba Bay in northern Mozambique, have been given long prison sentences by the Cabo Delgado provincial court.

One of the defendants will serve ten years in prison; nine were sentenced to 19 years; and one, the oldest of the group, received the heaviest sentence for allegedly organising the long journey that began in Balochistan, Pakistan, on a vessel loaded with drugs destined for the international market.

“He is ultimately responsible for this crime,” said the judge of the case, Bruno de Castro, explaining the heavy penalties handed down. “He knew what was actually happening. He knew about the merchandise that was on that boat. He needed the other co-defendants to transfer the illicit goods from the Alsalman boat to another called the Indira Ghandi.”

Despite investigations, the intended fate of the drugs and the owner of the merchandise remain unknown. Nevertheless, the public prosecutor considers the conviction of the 11 defendants over their involvement in an international drug trafficking network to be fair.

“The penalties which we have just heard represent a victory for the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the fight against crime and, in particular, against drug trafficking,” said ngelo Sueta, speaking on behalf of the public prosecutor.

The case began on December 23, 2020, when the Defence and Security Forces intercepted a wooden vessel off Pemba Bay with 13 Pakistanis on board, two of whom died before the trial began.

The operation unearthed 430 kilograms of assorted drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine, hidden among fishing nets.

Also read: Mozambique: Detained Pakistanis part of international drug ring – AIM report

In addition to trafficking in drugs and illicit substances, the 11 Pakistanis were convicted of association to delinquency, and are expected to be expelled from Mozambique after serving their sentences.

The Pakistanis’ defence lawyer was not available for comment.

By Hizidine Achá