KARACHI, Jan 8: The special anti-narcotics court, headed by Judge Ali Nawaz Pirzada, convicted five drug traffickers and sentenced them to different terms of rigorous imprisonment.

Mohammed Murad Khan, who was arrested on Nov 6, 1998, while attempting to smuggle out two kilograms of heroin, was sentenced to a five-year term.

The drug smuggler, who had been arrested at the airport before leaving for a Central Asian country, was also fined Rs100,000. The convict would have to undergo an additional six-month term in case of default on the payment.

The convicts included two Nigerians and a national of Cameron. They were sentenced to a four-year term and a fine of Rs100,000 each, as each of them was found guilty of carrying over one kilogram heroin. The defaulter on the payment would have to undergo an additional six-month term.

Mammdy Formo, arrested on Feb 26, 2002, had hidden 1,300 grams heroin, stuffed in 90 capsules. William Ogweno, who had 1,050 grams heroin in 78 capsules, was arrested on Oct 26, 2001. Moosa Bakar from Cameron was arrested on Dec 29, 2000, with 1,050gram heroin, filled in 85 capsules.

The judge sentenced a man to one year imprisonment with a fine of five rupees for possessing 200 grams of charas. On default of the payment he would have to undergo an additional one-day term.

The judge showed leniency to the accused and awarded him lesser punishment as police had delayed the submission of the final charge sheet against him for two years.

Judge Ali Nawaz Pirzada acquitted a man, who was prosecuted for possessing eight kilograms of charas.

Lal Baz Khan, arrested and booked by the Jackson police on Jan 6, 2001, was exonerated from the charge as the prosecution could not prove its case.

The additional district and sessions judge, Malir, Mohammed Yamin, sentenced a motorcycle hijacker to suffer rigorous imprisonment for three years.