Thai arms smuggler gets six-year jail term in NSCN (IM) arms procurement conspiracy case
A special NIA court has sentenced Thai national Willy Naruenartwanich to six years in prison for his role in an NSCN (IM) arms procurement conspiracy.
SLUG: thai-arms-smuggler-sentenced-nscn-im-case FOCUS: Thai arms smuggler sentenced SEO_TITLE: Thai Arms Smuggler Sentenced in NSCN (IM) Case SEO_DESC: A special NIA court has sentenced Thai national Willy Naruenartwanich to six years in prison for his role in an NSCN (IM) arms procurement conspiracy. TAGS: India News, Crime News, India, India Crime News
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday sentenced a Thai national and arms smuggler, Willy Naruenartwanich (alias Willy), to six years of imprisonment. The verdict comes in connection with an international arms procurement conspiracy involving the National Socialist Council for Nagaland (NSCN) (IM) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Breakdown of the Sentence
Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma delivered the sentence, dividing the punishment across different offences committed by the convict. The breakdown of the six-year term is as follows:
- 3 years for the offence of Conspiracy.
- 2 years for the offence of preparation of war against India.
- 2 years for the offence of Terror Conspiracy.
In addition to the prison term, the court has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the convict. The court had previously held Willy guilty on September 24, 2026, for offences under Sections 120B and 122 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 18 of the UAPA.
The Conspiracy to Arm NSCN (IM)
The case, which dates back to 2011, involves a massive plot to illegally procure a large consignment of arms and ammunition from foreign countries. According to the NIA, the objective was to strengthen the armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) to carry out activities against the interests of the Government of India, effectively preparing to wage war against the state.
The NIA had originally charged four individuals in this conspiracy:
- Anthony Shimray (alias Ningkhan Shimray, Anthony Shing, Anthony Sheing, or Sir Khan)
- TR Calvin (alias Grace Raingam Tayao, alias Tao Calvin)
- Hangshi Ramson Tangkhul (alias Raman Chonm, alias Hans)
- Willy Naruenartwanich (alias Wuthikorn Naruenartwanich, alias Willy)
Mitigating vs. Aggravating Factors
During the proceedings, counsel for the convict, Advocate Akshay Bhambri, argued for a minimum sentence. The defense highlighted several mitigating factors, including:
- The convict is a 70-year-old senior citizen.
- He has been in custody in India for approximately 622 days.
- He has maintained a disciplined conduct and appeared regularly before the court.
- He comes from a poor family background.
- The defense argued his role was minimal, no arms or money were recovered from him, and the conspiracy remained "inchoate" (incomplete).
However, the court noted that involvement in offences against the Government of India serves as a significant aggravating factor. The judge emphasized that Section 18 of the UAPA prescribes a minimum substantive sentence of five years for such offences, and leniency could send a dangerous message to society.
"If the convict is given the minimum prescribed punishment, then the message to the society in general would be clear, that one can get away with such heinous crime by reflecting an obedient and disciplined conduct during trial," the court observed, noting that the consequences of such activities could have a chilling effect on innocent citizens.