July 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuba has sentenced 11 drug traffickers to 15 to 30 years in prison, state daily Granma reported on Friday.

The ring leader, who ran the trafficking operation from Jamaica,  where he resided, was handed over to Cuba, as part of bilateral anti-drug cooperation.

The remaining 10 received the shipments in Niquero, a town in eastern Granma province, and distributed the drugs to the capital.

 Cuba's anti-drug operation, code named "Snow," monitored the group's activities in the provinces of Havana and Granma, "blocking the entry of speedboats from Jamaica on seven occasions, " and leading to the seizure of 295.24 kilos of marijuana and 31, 000 U.S. dollars that was to finance further drug shipments.

"Around 400 residents attended the trial in Granma province, which led to their sensibilization about the seriousness of the events," the report said.

The public trial took place on May 25-26, 2016 at the Second Criminal Chamber of the Provincial Court of Granma.

Cuba has stiff drug penalties, as well as educational campaigns against drug use. The convicted are appealing their sentences.

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News Agency

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