Ahmedabad Special Court sentences drug smuggler to 15 years for trafficking mephedrone

A Special NDPS Court in Ahmedabad has sentenced a bus driver to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment for the possession and attempted delivery of a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

The case dates back to January 30, 2023, when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) received a private tip-off. The intelligence suggested that Dashrath Singh Rajput, a bus driver, was transporting mephedrone from Mandsaur to Ahmedabad. Acting on this lead, an NCB team intercepted the bus at the Bordi Mill Compound parking area.

During the search, the driver produced a transparent plastic bag containing a white powder hidden under his seat cover. Forensic analysis by NFSU Gandhinagar confirmed the substance as Methylethcathinone, with a net weight of 182 grams. A second individual, Sohil Talat, who arrived at the scene on a scooter to receive the delivery, fled while on interim bail and remains at large.

The court found accused, Dashrath Singh, guilty under Sections 8(c) and 22(c) of the NDPS Act. While the defence argued that the accused was merely a carrier with no knowledge of the bag's contents, the court dismissed these claims, citing the "commercial quantity" of the seizure, which was approximately seven-and-half times the legal threshold.

In addition to the 15-year prison term, the court imposed a fine of ₹2,00,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional two years of simple imprisonment. The court acquitted the accused of conspiracy charges under Section 29 due to lack of evidence.