Tripura Witnesses Twin Major Seizures in a Day as Authorities Intensify Crackdown on Drug Crime, Questions Raised Over Elusive Kingpins
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 3, 2026
Tripura witnessed another dramatic day yesterday in its fight against organised crime as central and state enforcement agencies carried out major operations leading to the seizure of narcotics worth crores of rupees. While the operations underline the growing effectiveness of intelligence-based enforcement, they have also renewed public concern over the continued failure to bring the alleged masterminds behind these illegal networks to justice.In one of the largest anti-narcotics operations in recent months, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Agartala Regional Unit, seized 55,626 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup with an estimated illicit market value of Rs.5.56 crore from the parcel van of the Karimganj–Agartala DEMU train at Agartala Railway Station.Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials intercepted the parcel coach after the train arrived on July 2. During the search, officers discovered 80 blue metallic drums loaded inside the parcel van. On opening the drums, they recovered thousands of bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup of the ESkuf and FAIRDYL brands, carefully concealed beneath powdery substances intended to evade detection.
According to investigators, the consignment originated from Katihar in Bihar, moved through Karimganj in Assam, and was destined for Agartala. Preliminary investigations indicate that the shipment was allegedly meant for onward smuggling into Bangladesh through organised cross-border trafficking networks.
A representative of the consignee, identified as Subrata Deb (34), a resident of Kalyanpur in Khowai district and reportedly employed as a manager in a private enterprise in Agartala, arrived at the railway station to receive the consignment. He was arrested after allegedly admitting his involvement in the transportation and possession of the contraband. The seized materials have been confiscated under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.The seizure has once again highlighted the growing use of railway parcel services by organised drug syndicates. Investigators are now examining the booking records to identify those responsible for dispatching the consignment from its point of origin, while efforts are underway to trace the financiers, transporters and intended recipients.Recently, the Customs Preventive Force (CPF), Singerbil Customs Division, intercepted two passengers at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport and recovered Rs.1.68 crore in cash concealed inside their luggage after they arrived from Mumbai via Kolkata. The cash was seized in the presence of officials from the CISF, the Income Tax Department, and airport authorities before both passengers were handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.Preliminary inquiries suggest the money was allegedly intended for the purchase of gold in Agartala. However, investigators believe the detained individuals were merely couriers and not the actual owners of the cash. Authorities are now probing the source of the funds, the intended recipient, and possible violations of tax and financial laws.Recently, in an another major success by the Customs Preventive Force, which recently seized 898.42 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) worth approximately Rs.4.49 crore from a specially modified truck near Hejamara on the Agartala–Manik Bhandar road. The narcotics were concealed in sophisticated hidden compartments built into the vehicle, and the driver was arrested under the NDPS Act.
The back-to-back seizures have reinforced concerns that Tripura continues to be exploited as a major transit corridor for narcotics destined for markets across India and neighbouring Bangladesh. Enforcement agencies, including the DRI, Customs, Tripura Police, the Border Security Force (BSF), and Assam Rifles, have made several significant seizures of heroin, yaba tablets, cannabis, and Codeine-based cough syrup in recent months.
However, despite repeated recoveries involving consignments worth several crores of rupees, public concern continues to grow over the apparent inability to dismantle the larger criminal syndicates behind the trade. In many cases, only transporters, couriers or local handlers are arrested, while the alleged financiers and kingpins remain beyond the reach of investigators.
Security experts have repeatedly stressed that organised drug trafficking cannot be dismantled solely through seizures. They argue that sustained financial investigations, identification of the organisers, stronger inter-agency intelligence sharing, asset confiscation, and successful prosecution of high-level operators are essential to permanently break the trafficking networks.With drug abuse increasingly affecting young people across the state, the latest seizures underscore both the seriousness of the narcotics threat facing Tripura and the urgent need to ensure that investigations move beyond the arrest of carriers to expose and prosecute the entire criminal network responsible for financing, organising and facilitating the illicit trade.
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