A Uttar Pradesh Special NDPS Court sentenced three drug traffickers to 10 years' imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh each in a case linked to the seizure of 500 grams of Alprazolam in Lucknow in 2022, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) confirmed on Friday, 10 October. The conviction, delivered by the Additional District and Sessions Judge at Lucknow, brings to a close a two-year prosecution that mapped out an inter-district drug supply chain running from Mathura through Lucknow to Barabanki.

The Arrest and Initial Seizure

The case originated on 16 November 2022, when NCB officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted Mohd. Raj near Bhaisa Kund of Baikunth Dham in Lucknow shortly after he had alighted from a bus. A search of the bag he was carrying led to the recovery of 500 grams of Alprazolam — a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The quantity is classified as a commercial quantity under the law, attracting stringent minimum sentencing provisions.

Unravelling the Supply Chain

Subsequent investigation by the NCB's Lucknow Zonal Unit established that the contraband had originated in Mathura and was being transported through Lucknow for delivery in Barabanki. Investigators identified Mohammad Shafeek as the intended receiver and Jangli alias Haseen as a co-receiver — both residents of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh. All three accused — Mohd. Raj, Mohammad Shafeek, and Jangli alias Haseen — were subsequently charged and prosecuted.

What the Court Found

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence establishing the individual roles of all three accused within the trafficking network. The court, after examining the evidence, found that the seized contraband was intended for sale rather than personal use — a distinction that carries greater legal weight under the NDPS Act. Accordingly, all three were convicted and sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment each, with a fine of ₹1 lakh imposed on each convict.

NCB's Response and Broader Significance

The NCB said the conviction underscores the importance of intelligence-led operations, sustained investigation, and effective prosecution in combating drug trafficking. The Bureau stated it remains committed to dismantling trafficking networks by identifying individuals at every stage of the supply chain — from source to delivery. Notably, the case demonstrates how a single interception, when followed through with thorough investigation, can expose an organised multi-person supply network. This comes amid broader national efforts to enforce zero-tolerance policies on psychotropic drug trafficking across Uttar Pradesh.