New Delhi, October 8 (MExN): A Special NIA Court in New Delhi has sentenced Thai national and arms smuggler Willy Naruenartwanich, alias Wuthikorn Naruenartwanich, alias Willy, to six years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh in a case relating to an international arms procurement conspiracy involving the NSCN (IM).
The Special Exclusive Court-03 for NIA Cases at Rouse Avenue District Courts pronounced the sentence on Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in a release uploaded on its official X handle. The court had convicted Naruenartwanich on September 24 under Sections 120B and 122 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to the NIA, the case relates to a “conspiracy by the NSCN (IM) to procure a large consignment of lethal arms and ammunition from foreign sources.” The agency said the weapons were intended to “strengthen the outfit’s armed cadres and facilitate terrorist activities, besides constituting preparatory acts for waging war against the Government of India.”
The NIA registered the case on January 13, 2010, following an order of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the investigation, Naruenartwanich, a Thai businessman and arms smuggler based in Bangkok, acted as a middleman and key conspirator in the arms procurement network. He worked in coordination with Anthony Shimray, described by the NIA as the NSCN (IM)’s "chief arms procurer", and facilitated negotiations with representatives of a Chinese arms and ammunition company.
The investigation established that the proposed procurement and transhipment arrangement was valued at approximately US$1.2 million, the NIA said.
