VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, April 8: In a remarkable stride towards its mission of a “Drug Free India”, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has achieved the conviction of 17 drug traffickers in a span of just 15 days, underscoring its focused legal strategy and determined crackdown on the narcotics trade. These convictions span across six significant cases involving massive drug recoveries in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
According to NCB officials who talked to Kashmir Despatch, all six convictions were a result of rigorous investigation and a professional approach to the prosecution of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Case-wise Details of Convictions:
Kamrup, Assam (April 1, 2025):
The Additional District & Sessions Court, Kamrup, convicted two individuals arrested with 600 kg of ganja. The contraband was cleverly concealed inside a secret chamber of a truck en route from Tripura to Uttar Pradesh when NCB intercepted it on January 20, 2021. Both convicts have been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 1 lakh each.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (April 1, 2025):
An accused arrested with 500 grams of Alprazolam on May 20, 2019, was convicted by the Additional District Judge, Lucknow. The accused has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 1 lakh.
Mohali, Punjab (March 24, 2025):
In a case involving the seizure of 21.370 kg of charas sourced from Himachal Pradesh, the Special NDPS Court convicted four persons. Three of them were handed 15-year rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 1.5 lakh each, while the fourth received a 10-year term and Rs. 1 lakh fine. The accused were arrested on September 20, 2021.
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand (March 24, 2025):
The Special NDPS Court convicted five persons arrested with 425.5 kg of ganja sourced from Odisha on November 25, 2021. In one of the heaviest sentences handed down recently, each was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 2 lakh.
Malappuram, Kerala (April 5, 2025):
Two accused arrested on September 4, 2023, were convicted by the NDPS court in Manjeri. The seizure included 46 LSD blots, 33.909 grams of hashish, 5.340 grams of methamphetamine, and 21.88 grams of hashish oil. Both were sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 1 lakh each.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu (April 5, 2025):
In the sixth case, three individuals arrested with 26.09 kg of hashish oil on February 2, 2021, were convicted by the NDPS Court in Madurai. Each has been awarded 12 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 1 lakh.
NCB’s Commitment to a Drug-Free Nation
These back-to-back convictions signal a strong message to drug traffickers operating across the country. NCB emphasized that these results have been achieved through meticulous investigation, timely charge-sheeting, and sustained legal follow-ups.
“These convictions exemplify our commitment to professionally dismantling drug networks and enforcing the vision of a DRUG FREE INDIA,” said an NCB spokesperson.
The agency has also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and support the fight against narcotics. People are encouraged to report drug-related activities by calling the National Narcotics Helpline – MANAS at toll-free number 1933.
With these convictions, the NCB has reinforced its role as a frontline agency in India’s ongoing war against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
