Odisha STF nabs 4 drug peddlers with brown sugar worth Rs 1 cr; check quantum of punishment

The Special Task Force (STF) arrested four drug peddlers near Railway station road following a raid with assistance from Balasore district police, senior officials informed on Monday. The accused have been identified as Sk Faiyaz, Sk Shamshed, Sk Murad and Sandeep Nayak.

All the four drug peddlers were arrested following a raid yesterday. Brown sugar (Heroin) weighing 1100 gm worth Rs 1 crore, one motorcycle and other incriminating materials have been seized from their possession.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Odisha STF has been continuing with its drive to curb the narcotics menace.

Success Achieved So Far

Since 2020, the STF has seized more than 71 Kg of Brown Sugar/Heroin, 202 Gram Cocaine and over 116 quintals of Ganja/Marijuana, Opium 750 gram. Over 176 drug dealers/peddlers have been arrested in multiple special drives so far.

The STF also destroyed over 62 Kg of seized brown sugar and 13600 kg Ganja in last one year.

Provision For Punishment

Senior STF officials said that the chemical name of Brown sugar/ Heroin is Di- acetyl Morphine and it is made from Opium with some chemicals like Acetic anhydride etc. It is a prohibited narcotic drug under NDPS Act, 1985.

Commercial quantity: 10- 20 years of imprisonment Plus fine

Medium quantity: Up to 10 Years of imprisonment Plus fine

Small quantity: Up to 01 years of imprisonment plus fine

Commercial quantity: 250 Gram and above

Medium quantity: 5 to 250 Gram

Small Quantity: Up to 05 gram

“In addition to the above-mentioned punishment, all the property (movable and immovable) of the drug trafficker acquired in last six years from the illegal business of drugs will be seized and forfeited,” the STF officials said.