A Special NDPS Court in Rajasthan has handed down 15-year rigorous imprisonment terms to six individuals for trafficking more than 600 kg of poppy straw across state borders in 2021. The court also fined each convict Rs 2 lakh, as per the Narcotics Control Bureau. The convicted individuals include Sangram Ram Bawari, Dheema Ram Bishnoi, Sunil, Oma Ram, Bhutta Ram Bawari, and Kalu Ram Jat.
The arrests were made by the NCB’s Jaipur Zonal Unit after a significant drug seizure operation on October 3, 2021. Acting on specific intelligence, NCB officials intercepted a truck and an escort vehicle near the Amoli Toll Plaza in Bharatpur district, uncovering 619.8 kg of poppy straw packed in 28 bags. All six accused were apprehended and charged under the NDPS Act, 1985.
The accused had allegedly conspired to transport the contraband from Jharkhand to Rajasthan. Bhutta Ram was identified as the intended recipient, while the others were involved in transportation, escorting the vehicle, and arranging payments. The conviction underscores ongoing efforts by central agencies to combat interstate drug trafficking routes passing through Rajasthan.
In a separate incident last year, the NCB’s Jodhpur Zonal Unit seized 2,413.68 kg of poppy straw near Sanchore in Jalore district, en route from Jharkhand to Barmer, leading to one arrest. Rajasthan has been repeatedly flagged as a crucial transit corridor for narcotics from eastern and central India. The NCB officials praised the verdict, emphasizing their commitment to dismantling drug networks and ensuring justice for offenders.
The bureau encouraged the public to report narcotics trafficking through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (1933), promising informant confidentiality.
