A court in Ranchi has handed down 18 years of rigorous imprisonment to two individuals, Ganesh Choudhary and Anand Kumar, for their involvement in a significant drug trafficking case. The convicted pair, currently held at Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar, were found guilty under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for possessing a large quantity of narcotics, using a vehicle for trafficking, and engaging in criminal conspiracy.
The court ruled that both offenders will serve 18 years in prison concurrently, with an additional fine of Rs 1 lakh imposed on each of them. Failure to pay the fine would lead to further imprisonment. The case dates back to 2023 when the police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a truck transporting 1,184 kg of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 2.36 crore.
Following their arrest in 2023, the accused remained in judicial custody until charges were formally filed against them on April 16, 2024. Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented various evidence, including documents, witness statements, and scientific proof, leading to the court’s decision to convict and sentence both individuals. This verdict is considered one of the strictest penalties in recent years for drug trafficking in the state.
