Bhubaneswar: In a significant judgment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the 3rd Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Bhubaneswar, Thursday convicted four persons for trafficking brown sugar and sentenced them to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI)— the maximum penalty permissible under the law.
The convicts have been identified as Sk Irfan, Sk Samir, and Sayed Imtiyaz, all residents of Rajabazar under Gajapatinagar police limits in Jatni, Khordha district, and Ratiranjan Rout alias Routray of Harirajpur, Majhisahi under Delang police limits in Puri district. Each was also fined ₹1 lakh, with an additional two years of rigorous imprisonment to be served in default of payment.
According to the Special Task Force (STF) case file (STF PS Case No. 07/2022), the accused were arrested during a raid conducted on March 10, 2022, when STF officers intercepted them dealing in contraband at a rented house belonging to Sk Irfan in Jatni. A search led to the seizure of 1.32 kg of brown sugar (heroin) along with other incriminating materials.
Chemical examination by the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Rasulgarh confirmed the seized substance as diacetylmorphine, the chemical name for heroin. Following investigation, STF submitted a chargesheet under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 10 witnesses and produced 28 documents as evidence. The seized contraband was subsequently destroyed under court orders.
The STF, a specialized wing of the Odisha Police formed to combat organized crime, has been actively pursuing narcotics networks across the state. This marks the fifth case in Odisha where convicts have received the maximum 20-year imprisonment under the NDPS Act.
The case was investigated by DySP Dillip Kumar Sahoo of STF, while Special Public Prosecutor Rashmiranjan Brahma conducted the prosecution.
