Ahmedabad, April 24 (IANS) A Special NDPS Court on Friday sentenced two drug smugglers to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh each, an NCB official said.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ahmedabad Zonal Unit, secured the conviction of Sheikh Mohammad Sohel Abdul Kadar, resident of Saiyed Wada, Khanpur, Ahmedabad, and Nadeem Sheikh, resident of Golwad Lal Bunglow, Shahpur, Ahmedabad, said an official statement.

Acting on specific and credible intelligence, officers of NCB, Ahmedabad Zonal Unit, intercepted the two accused on November 11, 2023, at Kalupur Railway Station, Ahmedabad, upon arrival of Train No. 22953 (Gujarat Express) from Mumbai.

Search conducted in the presence of an independent Gazetted Officer led to the recovery of 504 grams of Mephedrone (MD) (commercial quantity) from the possession of both accused. Both accused were formally arrested on the same day, the NCB said.

During the investigation, both accused tendered their voluntary statements under Section 67 of the NDPS Act, disclosing their respective roles in the procurement and transportation of the contraband, the NCB said.

Investigation was corroborated by call detail records, travel records, hotel records, and financial transactions, establishing a complete evidentiary chain of conspiracy and interstate drug trafficking, it said.

Upon completion of the investigation, a complaint was filed before the Special NDPS Court, City Civil and Sessions Court, Ahmedabad, on May 4, 2024, for offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 22(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.

After a detailed trial, the Special NDPS Court on Friday convicted both accused and sentenced them to 15 years of Rigorous Imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh each under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985 (as amended), for their involvement in this heinous crime against society.

The NCB reiterates its appeal for active public cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. Any information related to the sale, transport, or trade of narcotics may be shared through MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline (Toll Free No. 1933). The identity of all informers is kept strictly confidential, said the statement.

–IANS

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