Mysuru: A city court has sentenced three men to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2024 synthetic drug possession case, marking one of the highest prison sentences awarded to drug peddlers in the city in recent times, according to the police.
The VII Additional District and Sessions Court convicted Javeed Ahmad and his associates Syed Mohammed Noorulla and Saddam Hussain in connection with the seizure of 51 grams of MDMA from Mandi Mohalla.
Three accused convicted
The three men were arrested by a Central Crime Branch (CCB) team in 2024 after they were allegedly found in possession of 51 grams of MDMA, a synthetic drug.
Following the investigation, the accused were booked under Section 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The court found all three accused guilty and sentenced each of them to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh each.
The sentence is significant as the police described it as one of the highest prison terms awarded to drug peddlers in the city in the recent past.
Conviction under NDPS Act
Section 22(c) of the NDPS Act deals with offences involving psychotropic substances in quantities classified as commercial quantities.
The provision carries a minimum punishment of 10 years of imprisonment, which can extend to 20 years. It also prescribes a fine of at least Rs 1 lakh, which can be increased up to Rs 2 lakh.
In this case, the court awarded 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh to each of the three convicted persons.
Police Commissioner Seema Latkar said the conviction demonstrated the importance of building strong evidence in narcotics cases and would send a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade.
Javeed described as racket kingpin
A CCB officer said Javeed Ahmad was allegedly a key figure in an illegal drug network and had links with drug dealers in Bengaluru.
The officer said the CCB team was able to secure the conviction of all three accused by collecting and presenting proper evidence during the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
The police believe the stringent punishment could act as a deterrent to people involved in the sale and distribution of banned drugs.
The conviction also comes against the backdrop of continuing police efforts to crack down on synthetic drugs and their supply networks in Mysuru.
Another drug case pending against Javeed
According to the police, Javeed is also facing another case involving synthetic drugs.
He was reportedly arrested recently for allegedly possessing 100 grams of synthetic drugs while he was out on bail.
The latest case is pending, and further legal proceedings are expected.
Police said the conviction in the 2024 case and the continuing action against those allegedly involved in drug networks underline the city’s efforts to curb the circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Authorities have also stressed the need for effective investigation and evidence collection to ensure that cases involving drug trafficking result in convictions.