Bahraich, October 7 (Daily Kiran) : A Nepali woman has been found guilty in a significant opium smuggling case that dates back to 2017 in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced the conviction following a ruling from the Additional District and Sessions Judge’s court on Tuesday.
Sunita Pun, a 31-year-old resident of Nepal’s Sarlahi district, received a 12-year rigorous imprisonment sentence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, along with a fine of ₹100,000.
The case stems from an operation on May 3, 2017, when the NCB’s Lucknow unit acted on specific intelligence. They monitored the SSB check post at Rupaidih on the India-Nepal border, with assistance from the Armed Border Force (SSB).
During the surveillance, Pun was intercepted while attempting to cross into India on foot. A search revealed 2.502 kilograms of opium concealed on her thigh. Investigations indicated that the opium had originated from Nepal’s Banke district and was intended for illegal sale and distribution in Bahraich.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime, highlighting the commercial quantity of drugs seized and the extensive social harm caused by drug trafficking. After examining the evidence and circumstances of the case, the court concluded that Pun had deliberately possessed the narcotics with the intent to sell.
The NCB stated that this conviction underscores its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and reaffirms its commitment to achieving a drug-free India. Citizens are encouraged to report any information related to drug trafficking via the MANS helpline (1933), ensuring complete confidentiality for informants.
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