Kerala Govt Delays Rs 28k Approval for Extraditing Drug Accused from UAE

Kerala: Govt stalls extradition of drug accused over Rs 28k translation fee

The Kerala government has delayed a critical step in extraditing a significant drug cartel accused from the United Arab Emirates, all over a negligible translation cost of Rs 28,000, in a startling display of bureaucratic indifference.

The state excise department had submitted a request 18 months a go to the taxes department for sanctioning the amount, required to translate about 250 pages of legal documents into Arabic. This translation is a mandatory step for securing extradition approval from UAE courts. The file hasn’t moved, though, in spite of the urgency.

Considering the gravity of the matter, the delay is more worrisome. In July 2023, 155 kg of cannabis and 60g of MDMA were seized from a rented Thumba home, and the accused, 22-year-old Shaun Sunil Bert of Valiya Veli, is a major player in the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Following the arrest of his accomplices, Shaun fled to the UAE and was allegedly planning to move to the UK to avoid prosecution.

The excise department, after rigorous efforts, secured a Red Corner Notice from Interpol — a rare feat based on a case initiated by the department. A non-bailable arrest warrant was also issued by the Thiruvananthapuram sessions court. However, to proceed with the extradition through UAE legal channels, official documents must be translated into Arabic — a step now frozen due to the lack of sanctioned funds.

Sources revealed that the excise team had even convinced certified Arabic translators to take up the task at minimal cost, considering the public importance. Still, their plea for the funds remains unheard.

This administrative delay not only hinders justice but also risks allowing a high-profile drug trafficker to escape prosecution, casting a shadow on the state’s efforts to curb the growing drug menace among youth.