NDPS Court indicts 4 for drug trafficking

MUMBAI, AUGUST 2: Four persons have been convicted by the NDPS Court today in two separate cases. Special Judge A D Killare sentenced three persons to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined them Rs 50,000 each for illegally dealing in acetic anhydride, a controlled substance under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

In May, 1993, the Preventive Branch of the Central Excise had intercepted a tempo carrying 18 barrels of imported chemicals weighing 200 kg at Palghar. After the driver and owner of the goods were unable to produce valid transport documents, officers raided a factory of Jayshree Chemicals at Palghar, where they claimed to be working. The raid revealed 22 drums, some bearing the description of acetic anhydride and some with obliterated markings. The trio, Parvinchandra Shah, Vipul Shah and Raju Jariwala, owners of Jayshree Chemicals, were then arrested and later tried and convicted by the Sessions Court.

In the other case, Special Judge K U Chandiwalsentenced Phoolkumar Sigarwaha to 10 years’ RI and fined him Rs 1 lakh for concealing 7.5 kg of heroin, worth Rs 1.2 lakh. This April, Bhandup police intercepted Phoolkumar at Tank Road.