Agartala, Oct 31: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into one of Tripura’s largest pharmaceutical contraband seizures, the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Tripura Police Crime Branch (TPCB) has arrested one person in connection with the recovery of 1,07,800 bottles of EsKuf cough syrup from a goods train at Jirania Railway Station earlier this month.
The arrested accused has been identified as Rajib Dasgupta (42), son of Basanta Kumar Dasgupta. He was taken into custody late on Thursday night following extensive investigation and intelligence inputs gathered by the Crime Branch.
The seizure, made on October 17, 2025, had sent shockwaves across the state as it pointed to a well-organized network involved in the illegal transportation of pharmaceutical substances with narcotic properties. The cough syrup, which contains codeine phosphate—a controlled substance under the NDPS Act—is often misused as an intoxicant and is frequently trafficked across inter-state borders.
Police sources confirmed that Rajib Dasgupta played a significant role in the logistics and coordination of the consignment’s movement through the railway network. His arrest is expected to shed light on the broader syndicate operating behind the scenes, including potential suppliers, transporters, and financiers involved in the illicit trade.
A senior Crime Branch official stated that further investigation is underway to trace the origin of the seized consignment, identify all persons linked to the racket, and dismantle the network responsible for smuggling such controlled substances into the state.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking and have intensified surveillance across transit points, including railways, highways, and border areas, to curb the menace.
