**Tripura Intensifies Anti-Drug Operations: Major Seizures and Political Accusations Mark State’s Battle Against Narcotics**
In recent weeks, the northeastern Indian state of Tripura has witnessed a significant escalation in its fight against drug trafficking. The state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has launched a series of intensive anti-drug operations that have resulted in large seizures of narcotics and arrests of suspected smugglers. This surge in enforcement, however, has also sparked a political debate, with opposition leaders alleging the involvement of ruling party members and sections of the administration in the drug trade.
### Major Seizures Across Tripura
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, announced on Saturday that the state police, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, had achieved notable successes in the past ten days. The anti-drug operations led to the confiscation of 896 kilograms of ganja (cannabis), 90,617 bottles of cough syrup (commonly abused as a narcotic), 180 yaba tablets (a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine), and 27.78 grams of heroin from various locations across Tripura. These seizures underscore the scale and complexity of the drug problem facing the state, which shares borders with Bangladesh and is situated near other drug trafficking routes in the region.
These recent efforts are part of the government’s broader commitment to making Tripura a drug-free state. “Tripura police is committed to making the state free of drugs and bringing all those who are involved in the nexus under the legal system. Our government is working intensively, following a zero-tolerance policy to gift a drug-free future to the youths,” stated Chief Minister Saha. His remarks highlight the government’s resolve to curb the drug menace, which has been a persistent challenge in the region due to its proximity to international borders and established smuggling routes.
### Notable Incidents and Multi-Agency Operations
The wave of anti-drug activities included several high-profile operations. Just two days prior to Saha’s announcement, law enforcement agencies intercepted a substantial consignment of narcotics aboard a goods train at Jirania railway station in the West Tripura district. The joint operation, involving Assam Rifles, Government Railway Police, Special Task Force, Customs authorities, and state police, led to the seizure of 90,000 bottles of banned cough syrup, valued at approximately Rs 4.5 crore. Officials indicated that the contraband had been transported from Delhi by train, and efforts were underway to apprehend the prime accused responsible for orchestrating the shipment.
In another major operation on October 6, Assam Rifles and Customs officials intercepted two trucks loaded with cement near the border in Khowai district. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 69.61 kilograms of yaba tablets, with an estimated street value of nearly Rs 70 crore. Four suspected drug smugglers were detained during this operation. According to a defence spokesperson, this bust was a follow-up to an earlier raid on September 29 in Mohanpur, West Tripura, where 60.77 kilograms of yaba tablets worth Rs 60 crore were seized.
Law enforcement officials believe that these drugs are part of a larger transnational smuggling network. The narcotics are suspected to have entered Tripura via Mizoram and southern Assam after being smuggled from Myanmar, with Bangladesh considered a potential destination for much of the contraband. The region’s porous borders and proximity to known trafficking corridors have made it a hotspot for such illegal activities.
### Arrests and Legal Action
As a direct result of these operations, authorities registered 15 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 16 individuals suspected of involvement in the drug trade. The government’s strategy appears to be two-pronged: disrupting the supply chains of narcotics through large-scale seizures and bringing those involved in the smuggling networks to justice.
The cumulative value of the drugs seized in the past three weeks is estimated to exceed Rs 134.50 crore, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. Security forces, including the Assam Rifles, have played a critical role in these operations, working alongside state police and other agencies to identify and intercept drug shipments both at the borders and within the state.
### Political Accusations and Controversy
Despite the government’s aggressive stance, the anti-drug campaign has become a flash