SAMPLING AND SEALING OF NARCOTIC

DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES

UNDER NDPS ACT, 1985
BY
Dr. ARUN KUMAR SWAIN RTD ASST. DIRECTOR
STATE FSL RASULGARH, BHUBANESWAR
Mob No- 8917320212
Introduction:
Seizure and sampling of NDPS under the drugs and

psychotropic substances Act, 1985 are of the complex areas which often

create confusion and difficulties for the investigating agency and also

the other officers concerned. Experience shows that due to incorrect

application of the provision of the NDPS Act relating to sampling and

sealing of contraband, accused have been able to go

away scot-free in grounds of technicalities. The purpose of the Forensic

chemical analyses is to examine exhibits for its identification and

determination to give un equivocal opinion to the criminal justice

system.
 Opium Poppy Plant

Coca Plant Cannabis Plant

 Ganja Cocaine

Charas
Heroin
METHODS OF SAMPLING:
The principal reason for a sampling procedure is to produce a

correct and meaningful chemical analysis. Because most methods used

in forensic science laboratories for examination of drugs requiring small

aliquots of material, It is vital that these small aliquots be entirely

representative of the bulk from which they have been drawn. Sampling

should be undertaken to confirm to the principals for analytical

chemistry as laid down for example in National pharmacopoeias.

SAMPLING:
Standing instruction No. 1/88 Dated 15/03/1988 of NCB, Govt of
India prescribes detailed procedure for the sampling, DLEO (Drug Law
Enforcing Officer) should follow the following salient features.

1. If the drugs/ Control sample seized are found in packages/ containers

the same should be serially Numbered for the purpose of identification.

2. Incase the drugs/ CS are found in lose form, the same should be

packed in unit containers of uniform size and serial number should be

assigned to each container / package. The gross and net weight

particular of the drug and the date of seizure should invariably be

indicated in each package.

3. Sample should be drawn in duplicate in presence of witnesses and the

person from whose possession it has been recovered or the owner /

occupier / representative of the owner premises.

4. Quantity of each representative sample drawn is to be 5grams in case

of ND & PS except Ganja & Charas where the quantity must be 24grams.

In case of control sample, if the same are in the state of power or

liquid, each sample size should be 5gram/ 5ml (Liquid) if it is in a tablet /

capsule form, each sample size should contain at list a strip of 10 tablets

/ capsules.

5. The seized drugs in the package / containers should be well mixed to

make it homogenous so that the sample drawn is representative of the

seized substance.
BUNCHING OF PACKAGES :
Drawing to representative samples from truck loads seized
drugs would be a lengthy exercise. In such cases, Bunching of packages
in to lots is done. Here’s what the guidelines say.

1. When the packages / container seized are the identical size and weight,

bearing identical marks the content of each package are of similar

colour, texture and give identical result in colour test by the test kit

conclusively indicating that packages are identical in all respect, The

same may be carefully bunched into lots of 10 packages / containers

except in cases of ganja & charas in which case 40 packages can

bunched in to a lot. For sampling purposes these lots should

 be considered as 1unit a small quantity of substance will be taken out from

each of the member packages of each lot, mix thoroughly to make the

mixture homogenous from which representative sample weighing the

prescribed quantity of 5grams & 24 grams as the case may be will be

drawn.

2. If after bunching 10 or 40 packages in to 1 or more lots the remainder

packages are less than 5 or 20 no representative sample need to be drawn

from the last lot. If remaining package are 5 in cases of drugs and 20 in

cases in ganja and charas they should bunched in to lot.

3. The packages should be serially numbered as P1 to n, lots as L1 to n (L1

consisting P1 to P10 , L2 consisting P11 to P20 and so on) and

representative sample in duplicate as SO-1 (Original Sample) and SD-1 (For

duplicate sample ) corresponding to P-1/L-1, SO-2 and SD-2 corresponding

SEALING:
Representative sample of substances if in solid or powder form
should be kept in small plastic pouch and heat sealed as it is convenient
and safe . The plastic container should be kept in a envelope sealed
properly with gum.

This envelope should be sealed with the official sealed of DLEO

over a paper slip containing the signatures of the witnesses, the owner /

occupier/ possessor in such a way that tempering is not possible. The

seal inscriptions should be complete and legible. The number of seals

affixied on the envelope should be uniform in numbers and is required to

be mentioned in Test Memo.

Representative samples drawn in original and duplicate should

be properly marked and sealed.

 NOTIFICATION SPECIFYING SMALL QUANTITY
AND COMMERCIAL QUANTITY :
Sl Name of the Contraband Small Quantity Commercial
No. in grams Quantity in grams/
kg

1. Coca Derivatives 2gm 50gm

2. Coca Leaf 100gm 2kg
3. Cocaine 2gm 100gm
4. Cannabis and Cannabis Resin 100gm 2kg

5. Opium 25gm 2.5kg

6. Opium Derivatives 5gm 250gm
7. Heroin (Diacetyl Morphine) 5gm 250gm
8. Ganja 100gm 20kg
Least Of Equipments required for chemical
Analysis :
i. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry)
ii. LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry)
iii. HP-LC (High Performance – Liquid Chromatography)
iv. FT-IR (Fouries Transfer – Infrared Spectrometry )
v. U.V. Visiable Spectro Photometry
CONCLUSION :
Proper sampling and analysis will definitely enhance the rate of

conviction in NDPS cases.