Bihar's drug peddler sentenced to 12 years RI

Vadodara, Sep 8 (UNI) A Vadodara fast-track court has sentenced a drug peddler from Bihar to 12 years rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs one lakh, after he was found guilty under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Acting on a tip-off, Vadodara railway police nabbed Sadiq Sheikh alias Gabbar, a native of Bhagalpur in Bihar, on April 4, 2006, and seized 20 kg of marijuana from his possession.

Gabbar, who was on his way to the port town of Veraval in Junagadh district of Gujarat from Bihar, revealed during interrogation that the contraband was to be delivered to one Nilesh Prasad.

Pronouncing his verdict yesterday, fast-track court judge I J Vora, however, ordered the acquittal of Nilesh, a resident of Veraval, due to lack of evidence against him.

UNI