LAKSHMIPUR, April 3, 2023 (BSS) - A court here today sentenced a man to 10 years imprisonment in a drug case for keeping 1,500 pieces of Yaba tablets in Sadar upazila of the district in 2018.

District and Sessions Judge Court Judge Md. Rahibul Islam pronounced the verdict this afternoon.

The court also fined him Taka 10,000, in default, to suffer another six-month imprisonment.

The convict is Md Salam,30 son of Nurul Islam, resident of Maijpara village in Choufaldandi union of Cox's Bazar district.

According to case statement, on October 30, 2018, police signaled a CNG- run auto-rickshaw to stop in Dalabazar area. Meanwhile, Salam and Rafiqul Islam, who were sitting in the auto rickshaw, got down and ran to escape. Salam was immediately arrested, but Rafiqul Islam escaped from the spot. Salam's body was searched and 1500 pieces of yaba tablets were   recovered.

On the same day, Sub-Inspector Abu Naser of Lakshmipur, Sadar Model Police Station filed a case against Salam and Rafiqul Islam under the Narcotics Control Act.

On March 7, 2019, Abu Musa, the investigating officer of the case and the sub-inspector of Sadar Model Police Station filed the charge sheet in the court.

After examining the record and witnesses, the court found Salam guilty. The court acquitted Rafiqul Islam alias Barmaiya Rafiq as the charges were not proved.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Jasim Uddin confirmed the matter.