One convicted in 2014 drug trafficking case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 18 2024: The Special Court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (ND&PS), Lamphel has convicted an accused while acquitting another person in its verdict on special trial (no 106 of 2015), pertaining to a drug trafficking case that began in September 2014.The accused, Md Firoz Khan (29) of Thoubal district and Phanjoubam Sonamani Singh (33) of Imphal East, were charged under Section 18 and Section 29 of the NDPS Act.

The court convicted Firoz under Section 18(c) of the NDPS Act for possessing contraband opium, while acquitting Sonamani due to insufficient evidence.

The final hearing took place on October 31, and the judgment was pronounced on Monday.

As per the case dossiers, sub-inspector N Suresh of the Narcotics Cell, Imphal West, received a tip-off on September 20, 2014, about individuals carrying opium in the Chingmeirong area.

Acting promptly, a police team detained two men, later identified as Firoz Khan and Sonamani Singh, near Eastern Motors showroom.

Upon search, two kg of suspected opium were found in a plastic bag carried by Firoz Khan, and the two were arrested.

The seized substances were tested and confirmed as opium by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Pangei.

The prosecution presented testimonies and documentary evidence, including the informant's report and the FSL examination report.

The court concluded that the evidence substantiated the charges against Firoz Khan, leading to his conviction under Section 18(c).However, it found that the prosecution failed to establish the required evidence to convict Sonamani Singh under Sections 18(c) and 29, resulting in his acquittal.

The Judge noted that Section 33 of the NDPS Act, which excludes the application of Section 360 of the CrPC regarding probation, was applicable, precluding leniency in sentencing.

The court scheduled the sentencing for Firoz Khan for a later date and directed the Lamphel police station to dispose of the seized contraband according to the law.

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