KARACHI, Feb 29: An anti-narcotics court on Monday sentenced a drug-peddler to 25 years in prison.

The judge of the special anti-narcotics court-II, Robani Khan, pronounced the verdict after recording the final arguments from both sides. The court also imposed a fine of Rs25,000 and in case of non-payment the accused, Tahir, alias Raja would have to undergo one-year additional imprisonment.

The prosecution said that Pak Colony police arrested the accused on July 2, 2004 and recovered 20 kilo Charas (Hashish) from his possession. A case was registered against the drug-peddler under Section 6/9-C of CNS Act at Pak Colony police station. Around three prosecution witnesses testified in the case.

The defence counsel in his final arguments said that his client was innocent and falsely implicated in the case.

The public prosecutor, Mohammad Arif Sitai, argued that the prosecution had successfully proved the involvement of the accused in the case and said the witnesses in their statements also confirmed that 20 kilo Charas was recovered from Tahir’s possession and pleaded the court to award capital punishment to the accused.