New Delhi:The grip of the law has once again tightened on the black drug trade. The court has sentenced 11 years of rigorous imprisonment to two smugglers who tried to transport 500 kg of opium poppy husk from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab in the year 2019. Besides, a fine of Rs 2 lakh each has also been imposed on both of them. The special NDPS court, Hoshiarpur, gave this verdict on 28 September 2026 after effective investigation and prosecution conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chandigarh. The culprits have been identified as Muzaffar Ahmed Mir, resident of Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, and Charanjit Singh Cheema, resident of Hoshiarpur, Punjab.
500 kg opium husk recovered from truck in 2019
The matter is of 26 June 2019. NCB Chandigarh team had stopped and searched a truck near Mukerian, Hoshiarpur. About 500 kg of opium poppy husk was recovered from 20 sacks hidden under the junk in the truck. The truck number was JK-13-B-7759. The third accused Riyaz Ahmed Shaikh was also arrested in this case, but later absconded after coming out on bail. In December 2025, the court declared him a proclaimed offender. Efforts are on to arrest him.
NCB's appeal
NCB said that this action reflects its commitment against drug trafficking. An appeal has been made to the common people to give information about drug smuggling on Manas helpline 1933. The identity of the person giving information will be kept confidential.