More than one influential figures Under Scanner, Illegal Drug Money Trail Under DRI Investigation Directly From Delhi
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, January 10, 2026
More than one influential figures of the Tripura have allegedly come under the radar of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Delhi, in connection with a major illegal gold and money-laundering investigation. According to sources, the names of influential figures and the head of an autonomous body have surfaced during the ongoing probe.
The DRI has already detained five persons from Delhi and Tripura in this case. During raids, illegally stockpiled gold and gold biscuits sold in cash, along with cash proceeds, worth approximately Rs.2.80 crore were recovered from a Tanishq outlet-linked operation. The entire investigation is being monitored and coordinated directly from the DRI headquarters in Delhi.
Sources revealed that influential intermediaries close to ministers and an autonomous body chief are now allegedly disclosing details of large-scale purchases of gold biscuits made on behalf of these powerful individuals. Earlier, the DRI had also collected inputs from the Income Tax Department to trace the money trail linked to Tripura’s black money network.
Investigators suspect that proceeds from drug consignments transported by rail to Jirania, large-scale cannabis cultivation across several Assembly constituencies, and commission money generated from contractor payments were routed into accounts controlled by close associates of these influential figures. The funds were allegedly converted into gold biscuits through benami purchases to safely park illicit wealth. Central agencies in Delhi were reportedly tracking these activities for a considerable period.
Meanwhile, a major drug kingpin linked to Tripura’s narcotics network has reportedly been arrested in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He is believed to be a key figure in the state’s expanding drug empire.
In another significant development, sources claim that an Agartala branch of a leading Indian multinational jewellery company, located at Agartala, recorded unusually high sales of gold coins over the last few years. This anomaly reportedly drew the attention of the DRI and triggered deeper scrutiny of Tripura’s gold trade.
On Friday, three accused arrested in connection with the Agartala gold bar case were taken to Delhi on transit remand following court orders. The DRI flew them to the national capital on an IndiGo flight for further interrogation. The accused have been identified as Rakesh Das of Malayanagar, Ajay Naha of Dhaleswar, and Kunal Jaiswal of New Delhi. They were detained from a hideout in the Shantipara area during a joint operation conducted by the DRI and Assam Rifles, reportedly without prior intimation to Tripura Police.
Earlier, gold biscuits worth around Rs. 50 crore were recovered from the vault of Tanishq Jewellers in Shantipara, and the businessman linked to the firm was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Following this seizure, the DRI intensified its investigation, leading to fresh arrests and the decision to conduct high-level interrogations in Delhi.
Sources claim that the DRI has found evidence suggesting an unprecedented flow of black money in Tripura. For influential individuals, generating illegal funds allegedly became easy, while securing and concealing the money became the primary concern. Gold biscuits and coins, rather than jewellery, were reportedly used as a preferred instrument to safeguard illicit wealth.
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