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Dimapur, June 23 (EMN): In an effort to tackle drug menace in the state, Excise department has warned the public that dealing in drugs could lead to imprisonment or a hefty fine under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Leading up to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, the Excise department, under the aegis of United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Commissioner of Excise and Prohibition, H Atokhe Aye, in an update, highlighted the consequences for illegal dealings in drugs.
Illegal dealing in drugs, in any form, sale, possession, transaction, transportation, export or inside India or from outside, is prohibited and punishable under the NDPS Act with punishment ranging from 10 to 20 years imprisonment, and fine from INR 1 to 2 lakh, or with both.
It said that allowing premises, warehouse, godown, vehicles, or use of any kind of conveyance, concealing of narcotic drugs in any form by goods, things or any items would also be liable for confiscation by the state. Punishments for any one of the cases would range from 10 to 20 years imprisonment and fine from INR 1 to 2 lakh, or with both.
It mentioned that the Act also prescribed stringent punishment to the extent of “death penalty” for repeated offences committed either in India or abroad.
It further informed that any property, assets, movable or immovable bank accounts/ bank balances acquired or derived from drug money by spouse, family members/ associates, friends were liable for attachment and “freezed” bank accounts/ bank balances under the Act.
H Atokhe Aye further stated that the department, responsible for supply reduction, was keeping strict vigil to check illegal trafficking of drugs in the state with all its available resources.
The department also appealed to the people of the state and all the organisations, and NGOs working in the related field to put concerted efforts to eradicate the menace of drug from society.
It also asked not to harbour any drug traffickers or peddlers in any form directly or indirectly but to report any incident of commission of offence taking place or likely to place in their locality or neighbourhood immediately to the Excise department.