A Dhaka speedy trial tribunal has sentenced alleged drug dealer Md Rob Mia to life imprisonment in a case involving heroin recovered beneath the Kazipara overbridge in the capital. Judge Md Rahibul Islam of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered the verdict on Monday afternoon. As the defendant was absconding when the judgment was announced, the court issued an arrest warrant carrying the sentence.

State prosecutor Md Abdur Rashid Molla confirmed that the tribunal also imposed a fine of Tk 10,000 on Rob Mia. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional year of simple imprisonment. The case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act by Kafrul police station Assistant Sub-Inspector Md Abu Zahid.

According to the case record, police acted on secret information on February 23, 2016, that suspects were standing on the road beneath the Kazipara overbridge to sell drugs. Police detained Rob Mia as he tried to flee and recovered 225 packets of heroin, estimated to be worth Tk 40,000. An indictment was submitted on March 31, 2016, charges were framed on August 3, and five of eight witnesses testified during the trial.