Charas Trafficking Case: Accused sentenced to 12 years RI
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a major success against drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu Zonal Unit, has secured the conviction of Ghulam Mustafa Khan, a resident of Banagan Wan Gund, Qazigund (District Anantnag), in a major charas (cannabis resin) trafficking case, underscoring the Government of India’s commitment to curbing the drug menace and safeguarding youth from narcotic abuse.
According to NCB Jammu official, reliable intelligence was received on January 14, 2022, regarding a suspect transporting a large quantity of charas in a bus (Reg. No. JK02AE-4161) traveling from Srinagar to Jaipur. Acting promptly, an NCB team, under the supervision of senior officers, established a checkpoint at Ban Toll Plaza, Nagrota, Jammu, later that evening.
“At around 8:00 PM, the identified bus was intercepted. One passenger, identified as Ghulam Mustafa Khan, was questioned, and his luggage was searched. Two packets wrapped in brown adhesive tape were recovered from his bag. Testing with a Narcotic Detection Kit confirmed the substance as charas weighing 2.4 kilograms net, a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act,” the NCB official said.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to trafficking the narcotic substance in a voluntary statement recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act. Subsequent forensic analysis by the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), New Delhi, confirmed the seized material to be charas. Investigation further revealed communication links with other suspects, indicating a wider inter-state trafficking network. Following a detailed trial, Special Judge NDPS Cases, Jammu, Y.P. Sharma, held the accused guilty under Sections 8 and 20 of the NDPS Act, 1985, and sentenced him to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of rS 1,00,000.
The Court observed that the recovery of commercial quantity and the evidence presented proved the prosecution’s case beyond reasonable doubt.
An NCB Jammu spokesperson stated, “This conviction demonstrates the Bureau’s professionalism and relentless efforts in executing a flawless operation and investigation. It also reflects our consistent vigilance against traffickers attempting to move cannabis resin consignments from Kashmir to other parts of the country.”
Reiterating the Bureau’s firm stance, the official added, “The NCB remains steadfast in its mission to strike at the roots of drug trafficking networks. Such convictions not only ensure justice but also serve as a powerful deterrent to those involved in the illicit trade.”