Agartala, Jan 25:
In a major crackdown on drug trafficking ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, the Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), seized a huge consignment of highly addictive methamphetamine tablets worth over ₹16 crore in Tripura and arrested one person, officials said on Sunday.
According to a defence spokesperson, the operation was launched late Saturday night following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of narcotics in Khowai district. Acting swiftly on the information, the joint team set up surveillance along National Highway-8 and intercepted a truck suspected of carrying contraband.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of approximately 1.60 lakh methamphetamine tablets. The truck used to transport the narcotics was immediately seized, and the driver was taken into custody. The arrested individual has been identified as a resident of Sribhumi district (formerly Karimganj) in southern Assam. Further investigation is underway to identify the larger network involved in the smuggling operation.
Officials said the seizure marks a significant success in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the northeastern region. The Assam Rifles has been playing a crucial role in curbing narcotics smuggling by conducting sustained operations to dismantle drug syndicates operating across international borders.
Methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as Yaba or party tablets, are banned in India. These tablets, also referred to as “crazy drugs” among users, contain a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine and are known for their severe addictive properties.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the seized consignment was smuggled from Myanmar through Mizoram and southern Assam before entering Tripura. The drugs were likely intended for delivery to a major drug trafficker or for further smuggling into neighbouring Bangladesh.
Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh and is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country, making it particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling. Myanmar, which has a long unfenced border with several northeastern states, remains a major transit route for drugs and other contraband entering India.
