Tripura witnessed a series of major enforcement operations against organised crime, with central and state agencies seizing narcotics and unaccounted cash worth several crores of rupees in separate cases. While the operations reflect stronger intelligence-based enforcement, they have also renewed concerns over the continued failure to identify and prosecute the alleged masterminds behind these illegal networks.
In one of the biggest anti-narcotics operations in recent months, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Agartala Regional Unit, seized 55,626 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup valued at around Rs.5.56 crore from the parcel van of the Karimganj–Agartala DEMU train at Agartala Railway Station on July 2.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the parcel coach after the train reached Agartala. During the search, officials found 80 blue metallic drums inside the parcel van. When opened, the drums contained thousands of bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup of the ESkuf and FAIRDYL brands, concealed beneath powdery substances in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
According to investigators, the consignment originated from Katihar in Bihar, passed through Karimganj in Assam and was destined for Agartala. Preliminary findings suggest the shipment was intended to be smuggled into Bangladesh through organised cross-border trafficking networks.
A representative of the consignee, identified as Subrata Deb (34), a resident of Kalyanpur in Tripura’s Khowai district and employed as a manager in a private company in Agartala, arrived at the railway station to receive the consignment. He was arrested after allegedly admitting his involvement in transporting and possessing the contraband. The seized materials have been confiscated under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Officials said the seizure has once again exposed the growing use of railway parcel services by organised drug trafficking groups. Investigators are examining booking records to identify those who dispatched the consignment and are also trying to trace the financiers, transporters and intended recipients linked to the network.
The latest operation follows another significant case in which the Customs Preventive Force (CPF), Singerbil Customs Division, intercepted two passengers at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport after they arrived from Mumbai via Kolkata. Officials recovered Rs.1.68 crore in cash hidden inside their luggage in the presence of personnel from the CISF, the Income Tax Department and airport authorities. The passengers were later handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the cash was allegedly meant for the purchase of gold in Agartala. Investigators, however, suspect that the detained individuals were acting only as couriers, while efforts are continuing to identify the actual owners of the money, the intended recipients and any possible violations of tax and financial laws.
In another recent operation, the Customs Preventive Force seized 898.42 kilograms of cannabis, valued at about Rs.4.49 crore, from a specially modified truck near Hejamara on the Agartala–Manik Bhandar road. The narcotics were hidden inside specially built concealed compartments, and the driver was arrested under the NDPS Act.
