A notorious drug peddler from Mahim has been sentenced to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh by a Mumbai Special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court for possession of a commercial quantity of mephedrone (MD).

According to the police, the convict, Sameer Bachhir Shaikh alias Sameer Panhale, 32, a resident of Mahim, was arrested in 2022, during a raid by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), the Bandra Unit of the Mumbai police. The team intercepted Shaikh and seized 110 gram of MD, valued at approximately R16.5 lakh, from his possession. “Shaikh is a habitual offender with 10 criminal cases, including theft, assault, and previous narcotics offences, registered at Mahim police station. Despite repeated arrests, he had continued his activities in the area,” a police officer told mid-day.

After a detailed trial, a Special NDPS Court on Friday convicted Shaikh under sections 8(c) and 22(c) of the NDPS Act. The court awarded him 15 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, ruling that failure to pay the amount would add another six months of imprisonment.