New Delhi: The sensational game of drug smuggling under the guise of postal parcels coming from abroad has finally come under the grip of law. The Chandigarh regional unit of Narcotics Control Bureau has got a major legal success in the matter of importing drugs through international postal parcels from Britain, France and Germany. Holding Solan resident Pankaj Sharma guilty in the case of drug possession, the special court has sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. This decision was given on 3 October 2026 by the court of Special Judge-II located in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The accused was convicted under Section 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Parcel arrived from Britain and operation started
The story of the case starts from 4th July 2023. Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh received intelligence that narcotic or psychotropic substances were being sent secretly in a parcel sent through international post from Britain. After the information, the Bureau obtained the necessary permission under the law and started the process of controlled delivery. During the investigation, the original contents of the parcel that came from Britain were examined, in which 4.7 grams of cocaine was recovered. After this, a network of controlled delivery was laid in Solan Main Post Office. As soon as Pankaj Sharma reached to collect the parcel, the NCB team caught him on the spot.
French parcel reveals the secret of a big smuggling network
The real picture in the matter came to light when at the same time another parcel from France was also picked up by Pankaj Sharma. During investigation and search, 56.2 grams of MDMA was recovered from this parcel. According to NCB, the notified commercial quantity of MDMA is 10 grams. In this case, the 56.2 grams of MDMA recovered was more than five times the commercial quantity. From here the direction of the investigation became more serious. The investigating agency got information about a third parcel, which was sent from Germany and was to be delivered to the accused. 4.4 grams of cocaine was also recovered from this parcel.
Accused of ordering drugs through post from three countries
Further investigation revealed that the accused was allegedly ordering narcotics from different countries in Europe using international mail. The parcels belonging to Britain, France and Germany presented the entire pattern of smuggling before the investigating agency. NCB, after a detailed investigation in the case, filed a complaint under relevant sections of the NDPS Act before the Special Court, Solan on 19 December 2023.
Witnesses and scientific evidence tightened the noose
During the hearing of the case, the prosecution presented many important evidences before the court to prove that the accused was knowingly in possession of drugs. These included testimony of postal department employees, delivery related documents, identification records, seizure proceedings, Malkhana records and evidence related to scientific investigation. On the basis of this evidence, the court convicted the accused and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Along with this, a fine of Rs 1 lakh was also imposed.
NCB keeps a close eye on international postal channel
The punishment in this case is being considered as an important success of NCB's intelligence based action, scientific investigation and effective prosecution. The agency's action against the drug smuggling network through international postal parcels indicates that even suspicious postal consignments coming from abroad cannot escape the attention of investigating agencies. NCB has reiterated that the campaign against drug trafficking and their networks will continue to make the country drug free.
Appeal for cooperation from public
The Narcotics Control Bureau has also appealed to the common people to cooperate against drug smuggling. If any person gets information about drug trafficking or any network related to it, he can inform on the toll-free number 1933 of Manas National Narcotics Helpline. According to NCB, the identity of the person giving information will be kept completely confidential.