Agartala, Oct 17:
In a major anti-narcotics success, security forces in Tripura seized 90,000 bottles of banned Eskuf Cough Syrup worth around ₹4.5 crore from a goods train that arrived from Delhi. The massive seizure was made during a joint operation conducted by the Tripura Police, Assam Rifles, Government Railway Police (GRP), Special Task Force (STF), and the Customs Department, officials said on Friday.
Acting on specific intelligence, a coordinated search was launched at Jirania Railway Station in West Tripura district on Thursday evening. The operation continued into the early hours of Friday, leading to the recovery of the large consignment from two goods train wagons carrying chicken feed, rice, and other items. The narcotics were found unclaimed and hidden alongside regular cargo, officials added.
The seized Eskuf Cough Syrup contains Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride, both of which are controlled substances under the NDPS Act and banned for sale and transport in India. The entire consignment has been handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Officials said the operation marks another major blow to drug trafficking networks operating in the Northeast. The Assam Rifles, in coordination with other enforcement agencies, reaffirmed its commitment to combating the growing menace of narcotics smuggling in the region.
With this latest seizure, Tripura authorities have confiscated illegal drugs worth over ₹134.50 crore in less than three weeks. On October 6, Assam Rifles and Customs officials had seized 69.61 kg of methamphetamine tablets valued at ₹70 crore in Khowai district, while a previous operation on September 29 in Mohanpur led to the recovery of 60.77 kg of methamphetamine worth ₹60 crore.
Officials suspect the seized drugs may have originated from Myanmar and been trafficked through Mizoram and southern Assam before reaching Tripura, en route to Bangladesh.
