The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had seized the contraband from Victoria Docks in December, 1993. The consignment consisted of 51 wooden cases said to contain tank water heaters which were in turn stuffed into a 20-ft container. However, a search revealed 11 cases in two corrugated cartons containing Mandrax tablets packed in polythene packets. NCB officials said the goods were to be smuggled to Mozambique, Africa.

Inquiries conducted by NCB revealed that Prakash Bawlekar and Digamber Shrishekar, the two Customs clearing agents, were involved in the preparation of documents and Customs formalities relating to the smuggling.

During a raid, NCB officials seized incriminating documents from Bawlekar's residence and filed a complaint against Bawlekar and his associates Shirshekar and AshokBhatt. They were charged under Sections 223, 28 and 29 read with Section 8 (c) of the NDPS Act, 1985. On July 29, Bawlekar, Shirshekar were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh each. Bhatt, however, was acquitted.