Lucknow Court Sentences Three to 10 Years in Alprazolam Trafficking Case

A court in Lucknow has sentenced three men to 10 years of imprisonment each and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on each of them in a drug trafficking case involving the seizure of 500 grams of Alprazolam, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said on Friday.

The convicts, identified as Mohd. Raj, Mohammad Shafeek and Jangli alias Haseen, are residents of Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district. They were arrested by the NCB’s Lucknow Zonal Unit in connection with the case.

According to an official statement, the case dates back to November 16, 2022, when the NCB acted on specific intelligence and intercepted Mohd. Raj near Bhaisa Kund, Baikunth Dham, in Lucknow, shortly after he got off a bus.

A search of his bag led to the recovery of 500 grams of Alprazolam, a prescription medication commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.

The subsequent investigation found that the seized substance had originated in Mathura and was being transported to Barabanki through Lucknow. Investigators identified Shafeek as the intended recipient and Jangli alias Haseen as another recipient allegedly involved in the consignment.

The investigation helped establish the alleged roles of the three men at different stages of the supply chain. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence concerning their involvement and highlighted the seriousness of trafficking in commercial quantities of psychotropic substances.

After examining the evidence, the court convicted all three accused and sentenced them to 10 years’ imprisonment, along with fines of Rs 1 lakh each. The court also found that the seized substance was intended for sale.

The NCB said the conviction highlighted the importance of intelligence-led operations, detailed investigations and effective prosecution in tackling drug trafficking networks.

The agency reiterated its commitment to identifying individuals involved at different stages of illicit drug distribution and bringing offenders to justice.

The NCB has also urged citizens to share information about drug trafficking through the toll-free MANAS National Narcotics Helpline at **1933**. The agency said it would keep informants' identities confidential.