Ahmedabad court sentences Philippine woman to 20-year jail for smuggling heroin

 A City Civil and Sessions Court in Ahmedabad convicted Philippine national Ginalean Padiwan Limon and sentenced her to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment after she was caught smuggling 2.12 kg of heroin.

The Bureau of Immigration officials at Ahmedabad intercepted Limon on June 11, 2024, while she was being cleared at the immigration counter. The matter was immediately handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) team.

The accused was taken to the Airport Police Station, where a search was conducted in the presence of two panch witnesses. A total of 2.121 kg of heroin was recovered from three packets hidden inside her trolley bag. 

The woman had arrived on Virgit Airlines flight from Laos and was travelling without a valid passport.

Following investigation, a case was registered under Sections 8(c), 21(c), 23(c), and 28 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The court held that the prosecution successfully proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Limon was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2 lakh under Section 21(c) of the NDPS Act. In default of payment of fine, she will have to undergo additional two years of simple imprisonment.