Lucknow: A Lucknow court has convicted three men in a narcotics trafficking case involving the seizure of 500 grams of alprazolam and sentenced each to 10 years in prison along with a fine of ₹1 lakh. The judgment was delivered in a case prosecuted by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Lucknow.The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Lucknow, pronounced the sentence on Thursday after evaluating the evidence produced during trial. The convicts were identified as Mohd Raj, Mohammad Shafeek and Jangli alias Haseen. All three are residents of Barabanki.According to NCB, the case began on Nov 16, 2022, when the agency’s Lucknow unit acted on specific intelligence and conducted an operation near Bhaisa Kund in the Baikunth Dham area of the city. Officers recovered 500 grams of alprazolam from Mohd Raj, who was allegedly carrying the substance in a bag on his back.Investigators said the contraband originated in Mathura and was meant to be transported to Barabanki. The agency identified Mohammad Shafeek as the intended receiver and Jangli alias Haseen as a co-receiver, linking them to the alleged supply chain.During trial, prosecutors stressed that the recovered substance constituted a commercial quantity and argued for stringent punishment, citing the broader social harm caused by drug trafficking. The court held that the alprazolam was possessed for sale and that the quantity fell under the commercial category.NCB said the conviction underscored its efforts against drug trafficking and urged citizens to share information via MANAS National Narcotics Helpline at 1933, assuring confidentiality.
