Three residents of Belonia’s Rangamura village were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by a Special NDPS Court after being convicted in a narcotics trafficking case involving the seizure of 9,500 Yaba tablets. The court also imposed fines and additional jail terms under various provisions of the NDPS Act.
A Special NDPS Court in Tripura has sentenced three persons to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding them guilty under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in connection with the seizure of 9,500 Yaba tablets last year.
The convicted individuals have been identified as Manik Mia (39), Madhai Shil (31), and Prashanta Roy (28), all residents of Rangamura village under the Belonia subdivision of South Tripura district. The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by the Special NDPS Court presided over by Judge Sanjay Bhattacharjee.
According to Public Prosecutor Gautam Giri, the case originated from a successful anti-narcotics operation conducted by Jatrapur Police on October 10, 2024. Acting on a confidential tip-off, police received information that narcotic substances were being transported in a vehicle travelling from Sonamura towards Belonia through the Kathalia route.
Following the intelligence input, then Officer-in-Charge of Jatrapur Police Station, Subrata Debnath, along with police personnel and members of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR), established a checkpoint in front of the police station to intercept the suspected vehicle.
At approximately 8:15 pm, law enforcement officials stopped a Hyundai Grand i10 bearing registration number TR-03R-0509. The vehicle was occupied by the three accused persons. During a thorough search of the car, police recovered 9,500 Yaba tablets concealed inside a yellow bag hidden beneath the front seat.
Following the seizure, a specific case was registered against the accused under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act. The investigation was entrusted to Inspector Arup Debbarma, who carried out a detailed probe into the case.
Public Prosecutor Giri stated that after collecting evidence and recording statements from witnesses, the investigating officer submitted a chargesheet before the Sonamura court on December 30, 2024. The prosecution subsequently presented its case before the Special NDPS Court.
During the course of the trial, the court examined a total of 19 witnesses and reviewed documentary as well as material evidence produced by the prosecution. Based on the evidence presented, the court found the three accused guilty of involvement in narcotics trafficking and convicted them under different provisions of the NDPS Act.
As part of the punishment, the court sentenced each of the three convicts to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh under Section 22(C) of the NDPS Act. In the event of non-payment of the fine, the convicts will have to undergo an additional six months of imprisonment.
The court also awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed another fine of Rs 1 lakh each under Section 25 of the NDPS Act. Failure to pay the fine under this section will attract an additional six months of imprisonment.
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The verdict is being viewed as a significant step in Tripura’s ongoing efforts to curb narcotics trafficking and strengthen enforcement against the illegal drug trade. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to intensifying anti-drug operations and ensuring strict legal action against individuals involved in the transportation and distribution of narcotic substances across the state.
