Date:07/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/07/stories/2007050701131300.htm

International - India & World

Indian sentenced to prison in Canada

Toronto: An Indian woman has been sentenced to nine-year imprisonment by a Canadian court for smuggling 11.4 kg of heroin while returning from India.

Kamaljit Kaur Dyal, 47, was sentenced in the British Columbia Supreme Court after a jury found her guilty in November 2004. Her son, who was travelling with her at the time of her arrest, is now 11 years old. She was held guilty of importing heroin into Canada and possession of the drug for the purposes of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Dyal committed the crimes of which she was convicted in a role of what is known as a ``mule'' or a ``courier.''

The judge said he had kept in mind Dyal's personal circumstances while deciding the sentence. He said she was married, had no criminal record or addiction to drugs and had been a contributing member of society. — PTI