Srinagar, March 27 -- Pulwama district court on Tuesday handed down a stringent punishment to a notorious drug smuggler, Abdul Hamid Bhat, a resident of Lelhar Kakapora.

Bhat has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh for his involvement in drug trafficking.

The verdict was delivered by the Principal Sessions Judge of Pulwama, Naseer Ahmed Dar. Bhat was apprehended with a substantial quantity of narcotics, including 104 kg of ganja and 1.2 kg of hashish, seized from his residence.

According to the court's order, the failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three-month imprisonment for the convict. However, the period of custody already served by Bhat will be taken into account.

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