Theft of 45 Liters of Methadone Valued at Rs 80,000: Sky To Be Sentenced to 300 Hours of Community Service

A man known as Sky To Be has been sentenced to 300 hours of community service for the theft of 45 liters of methadone, valued at Rs 80,000. This sentence replaces his initial two-year prison term, which was commuted by the Intermediate Court on November 14, 2025. 35-year-old Jean Patrice Kevin Dina, the artist behind the name Sky To Be, was convicted for this theft that occurred on August 29, 2014, at a Health Ministry warehouse in Plaine Lauzun.

On May 15, 2023, the Director of Public Prosecutions initiated criminal proceedings against him. He faced charges of theft committed by a group while masked and driving without a license, to which he pleaded not guilty.

On March 27, 2025, Magistrate Prithviraj Balluck found him guilty, though he was acquitted of the driving charge due to lack of evidence.

Court proceedings revealed that during the night of the theft, Sky To Be, along with four masked accomplices, broke into a Health Ministry warehouse, assaulted two security guards, and stole 45 liters of methadone, of which only 12 liters were recovered.

Sky To Be claimed an alibi, stating he was performing on stage in the capital during the incident. During the trial, one Daniely Gerard Stephan Numasevayen, considered the mastermind, was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs 50,000. He testified that he had given Sky To Be Rs 20,000 for his involvement in the theft, which the magistrate deemed credible, dismissing Sky To Be's defense.

The magistrate also took into account the assault on the security guards and the nature of the stolen methadone, a dangerous drug, along with the damages caused during the crime.

Before sentencing, the singer expressed remorse and shared his personal struggles, noting that he had been drug-free for a year and wanted to set a positive example for his child and fans. Testimonies from family members supported his claims of personal change.

However, the magistrate highlighted that this was not Sky To Be's first encounter with the law, having previous convictions for assault, drug offenses, and theft between 2008 and 2016. Given his personal situation, including his fight against addiction, family responsibilities, and career aspirations, he was granted a reprieve.

On October 15, 2025, he received a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended while a social report was prepared to assess his eligibility for community service. The report, presented on November 14, 2025, was favorable, leading to his sentence being commuted to 300 hours of community service at Line Barracks, scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 3 PM. He must return to court on June 4, 2026.