Ugandan sentenced to 20 years jail for smuggling 943 grams of heroin in stomach

A Special NDPS Court in Ahmedabad has sentenced an Ugandan national to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to smuggle high-grade heroin into India by concealing it within his body.

The convict, identified as David Mesembe, a citizen of Uganda, was apprehended at the Ahmedabad international airport on February 13, 2022, following a specific tip-off received by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Mesembe had arrived on a flight from Sharjah. While an initial search of his luggage yielded no contraband, officials suspected internal concealment due to his nervous behaviour.

After court's approval, Mesembe was admitted to Sola Civil Hospital for medical examination. Between February 13 and 17, 2022, doctors recovered a total of 86 capsules from his stomach. Forensic testing confirmed the capsules contained heroin, with a total net weight of 943 grams—a quantity classified as ‘commercial’ under the NDPS Act.

During the trial, the prosecution examined witnesses and presented extensive documentary and medical evidence, including X-rays and CT scans. Mesembe pleaded innocence, claiming he visited India for business and was falsely implicated. However, Special Court found the evidence regarding the medical recovery of the drugs from the accused's body to be conclusive.  

The court convicted Mesembe under Sections 8(c), 21(c), and 23(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Along with the 20-year prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹2 lakh.