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Court convicted the accused of heroin trafficking, upheld searches and chain of custody, imposed life sentences, destroyed drugs and confiscated the vehicle.
* Criminal law – Narcotic drugs – Trafficking in heroin hydrochloride – Proof of recovery and identification of exhibits – admissibility and sufficiency of chemist's analysis.
* Evidence – Search and seizure – credibility of police and independent witness testimony; allegations of planting require particularisation.
* Evidence – Chain of custody – absence of paper trail does not necessarily break chain where oral custody evidence is credible.
* Confiscation and disposal – Court power to order destruction of narcotics and confiscate instrumentality of offence despite an intended appeal.
* Sentencing – Statutory life sentence for trafficking offences; limited or no discretion for leniency in such offences.
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