The Court of the 2nd Additional District Judge cum Special Judge, Bhubaneswar sentenced a person to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for drug trafficking.
The convict has been identified as Bibhuti Bhusan Jena (38). He was also fined 1 lakh rupees with an additional year of imprisonment imposed if the fine was not paid.
The conviction stems from an incident on June 1, 2020, when Jena and an associate were intercepted near the Kalinga Vihar crossing in Bhubaneswar. They were found in possession of 1008 grams of brown sugar/heroin. The contraband, later confirmed to be diacetylmorphine (heroin) by the State Forensic Science Laboratory, was seized and has since been destroyed as per court orders.
The trial saw the prosecution examine 12 witnesses and present 29 documents as evidence. The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police, which led the operation, continues its efforts to curb organized crime and drug trafficking in the state.
This case marks the third instance in Odisha where an accused has received the maximum 20-year sentence under the NDPS Act, 1985.
