A district and sessions court in Tripura's Dhalai district has sentenced a drug trafficker to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh in a narcotics case that was busted two years ago. The convict, Supankar Debnath (35), a resident of Dhanpur in Sepahijala district, was found guilty under multiple provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The court ordered that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional year of rigorous imprisonment.
Details of the Case
The case dates back to August 10, 2024, when Ambassa police, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a vehicle on the Assam-Agartala national highway on suspicion of carrying illegal substances. According to police, the driver attempted to flee, triggering a chase that ended after the vehicle crashed. Two passengers managed to escape, while Debnath was arrested at the spot.
During a thorough search of the vehicle, police recovered 587.52 grams of brown sugar concealed in 49 soap cases and 80,000 Yaba tablets hidden in a specially made compartment. The contraband was seized, and Debnath was taken into custody.
Legal Proceedings
Ambassa police filed a charge sheet against Debnath in December 2024. The court convicted him after examining witness statements and material evidence, including the recovered drugs. In addition to the NDPS Act violations, Debnath was also convicted for reckless driving and causing injuries under relevant sections of the BNS and the Motor Vehicles Act.
The sentencing underscores the stringent measures taken by the judiciary to combat drug trafficking in the region. The fine of ₹1 lakh, with an additional year of imprisonment if unpaid, serves as a deterrent to potential offenders.
