In the internationally sensitive case pertaining to seizure of 10 kilograms of rare lethal drug“ fentanyl worth Rs 110 crore in the city, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday filed charge sheet against all three accused including a Mexican national.
Considering the sensitivity of case, accused were present in the court through video conferencing from district jail. The charge sheet was filed in the special NDPS court of judge Krishnamurti Mishra against accused Mohammad Siddique, Manu Gupta and Maxican national George Solice. They are charged under Section 8/21 (manufacturing of banned drug), Section 23 (export of banned drugs), Section 27A (Financing for wrong doing) and Section 29 (hatching conspiracy for trafficking of deadly drugs) of NDPS Act.
Appearing for DRI, special prosecutor Chandan Airen said agency has ample evidence to prove the charges including video recorded statements, evidence of dispatching the drug in parcels for overseas supply. For accused George Solice, senior lawyer from New Delhi Prashant Kumar appeared in the court. Father and mother of Solice were also present in court. They have come from Mexico. After hearing both the sides, special judge Mishra took cognisance of the charges presented against accused. He fixed the next date of hearing on April 3.
CASE IN A NUTSHELL
The accused are charged with manufacturing banned lethal drug, exporting it and financing it as well. The officials of Indore zonal office of DRI seized the banned drug during a search action located at a defunct factory in Pologround Industrial Area on September 25, 2018. During the search, it was revealed that Mohammad Siddique prepared the banned drug in small part of the factory at night, Manoj Gupta looked after financing and dispatching while George handled international supply of the drug.
