Mohali, April 22 -- A Mohali court has awarded 12 years' rigorous imprisonment (RI) to a Kharar resident who was caught with commercial quantity Tramadol capsules in 2023.

Tramadol is a prescription-only opioid, commonly misused as a recreational drug.

The convict Jishan Khan was caught with 2,800 Tramadol capsules at a naka in Mohali on December 2, 2023, but was not able to produce any permit for it.

According to the prosecution, Khan, who was carrying the contraband in a black backpack, had attempted to flee upon spotting cops at the naka. But he was nabbed and frisked in the presence of a gazetted officer, following the capsules were discovered.

During the trial, the defence alleged procedural lapses, including delay in sending sam...