The IX Additional District and Sessions Court at Chodavaram in Anakapalli district on Monday sentenced two persons convicted of smuggling 144 kg of marijuana in 2016 to 10 years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and imposed penalty of ₹1 lakh each. Although, the period of judicial remand already undergone by the accused during the investigation phase will be set off under Section 428 of the CrPC.On December 2, 2016, then Prohibition and Excise Enforcement wing intercepted a vehicle at Devarapalli village and seized 144 kg of contraband packed in eight gunny bags. Two of the four persons caught have been sentenced. The accused, identified Athava Atchutarao, J. Sravan Kumar, Otchu Vijay Kumar, and Adireddy Gangu Naidu were allegedly involved in smuggling of the contraband. However, Sravan Kumar passed away in October 2023, while Mr. Naidu was acquitted due to lack of evidence of his involvement in the transportation.Delivering the judgment on Monday, IX Additional District and Sessions Judge M. Hari Narayana noted that despite minor “discrepancies in the testimonies” and a “hostile panch witness”, the consistent evidence provided by the retired excise inspector successfully established that the accused are guilty. Published - August 31, 2026 07:42 pm IST