Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, Jun 19: In a major breakthrough against interstate narcotics trafficking, a Special NDPS Court in Rajasthan has sentenced six individuals to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment each for their role in smuggling more than 600 kg of poppy straw into the state in 2021.
The Special Court under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, located in Weir town of Bharatpur district, also imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on each of the convicted persons, according to an official statement issued by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday.
The six convicts are Sangram Ram Bawari, Dheema Ram Bishnoi, Sunil, Oma Ram, Bhutta Ram Bawari and Kalu Ram Jat.
The case dates back to October 3, 2021, when the NCB's Jaipur Zonal Unit, acting on specific intelligence inputs, intercepted a truck and an accompanying escort vehicle near the Amoli Toll Plaza in Bharatpur district.
During the operation, officials recovered 619.8 kg of doda chura (poppy straw) packed in 28 sacks from the truck. All six accused were arrested and booked under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Investigators found that the accused had jointly planned to transport the contraband from Jharkhand to Rajasthan. According to the NCB, Bhutta Ram was the intended recipient of the consignment, while the other accused were responsible for transporting the narcotics, escorting the vehicle and coordinating financial transactions linked to the operation.
The conviction comes as central agencies intensify efforts to dismantle interstate drug trafficking networks that use Rajasthan as a transit route.
In another significant operation conducted in August last year, the NCB's Jodhpur Zonal Unit seized 2,413.68 kg of poppy straw near Sanchore in Jalore district. The contraband was allegedly being transported from Jharkhand to Barmer, and one person was arrested in connection with the case.
NCB officials have repeatedly highlighted Rajasthan's growing importance as a transit corridor for narcotics originating from eastern and central parts of the country.
Welcoming the court's verdict, the agency said the judgment reflects its sustained commitment to dismantling organised drug syndicates and ensuring strict legal action against those involved.
The NCB also urged citizens to report information related to narcotics trafficking through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (1933), assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.