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Heroin. In it for the money (archive)
Photo: Doron Golan

Father and son drug smugglers receive 8-year sentence

Pair convicted of smuggling 3 kilograms of heroin and hashish from Lebanon. Judge Asher Kula does not take into account son's wedding plans, sentences bother to 'particularly painful' sentences

Drug smugglers dealt a harsh sentence. The Nazareth District Court hand down an eight-year sentence on Thursday to a father and son pair from the north who were convicted of smuggling 3 kilograms (about 6.6 pounds) of heroin and hashish from Lebanon.

 

The two were also fined NIS 15,000 (about $4,000), and their driver's licenses were revoked for two years. Judge Asher Kula mentioned in the sentence that heroin is known as "the drug of death," and, therefore, it is appropriate that those convicted of smuggling receive a "painful sentence."

 

Ahmad Abu Juma'a, 55, from Nahariya, and his son Mohammad, 30, from Ein al-Assad, already served past prison sentences for various offenses.

 

Despite this, the two arrived along with two other people to a point along the Lebanese border near Metulla in 2009. The spot was chosen after they toured the border fence a number of times in order to find the most amenable spot for smuggling. That night, they received two packages, one containing 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of hashish and the other containing 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of heroin. They drove away from the site, but were arrested by northern district police near Kiryat Shmona.

 

Throughout the trial, the two claimed that they are innocent, and placed blame on their two associates. The Northern District Prosecution asked that long prison sentenced by issued against the two of them, and even brought evidence showing a trend of increasingly harsh sentences being issued to similar crimes. The prosecution emphasized that the crime was committed as a money-making scheme in an effort to get rich quick, and was not a chance crime committed in the heat of the moment.

 

The defense claimed on the other hand that their sentences should be lessened. The defense claimed a light sentence would suffice since the likelihood the two would become repeat offenders was slim and that they do not pose any danger to the public. The defense also pointed out that the son was about to get married.

 

Judge Kula did not take the defense's request into consideration and sentenced the two to "particular painful" sentences. He noted that the two did not confess or express regret over their actions, and, therefore, were not eligible for lighter sentences.

 

The two were convicted of importing and possession of a dangerous drug, conspiring to commit a crime, and using a vehicle in order to commit a crime.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.20.10, 15:35
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