Crores worth of narcotic cough syrup seized at Tripura entry point, two arrested...

The Sales Tax Department and the police have achieved a major success in Tripura in their fight against drug trafficking. A large consignment of narcotic cough syrup was being brought into Tripura from another state using sophisticated smuggling methods. However, the attempt was foiled at the last moment. Narcotic cough syrup worth approximately ₹1.26 crore was seized at the entry point to Tripura, and two persons were arrested in connection with the case.

The incident took place late Tuesday night. A mini lorry entered Tripura through the Churaibari Seltex Complex on the Assam–Tripura border after crossing Assam. From the outside, the vehicle was declared to be carrying ORS and tissue paper. When the driver went to the Sales Tax Department to produce the required documents, officials became suspicious during verification of the consignment. As a result, the vehicle was detained overnight.

The next morning, a search of the mini lorry bearing registration number WB-57M-8596 led to the recovery of a huge quantity of “Eskaf” narcotic cough syrup hidden behind the goods. The Churaibari police station was immediately informed, and police personnel rushed to the spot. Subsequently, North District Superintendent of Police Abinash Rai, along with Additional Superintendent of Police Kamal Debbarma and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Jayanta Karmakar, arrived at the scene. A forensic team also conducted a thorough search after unloading all the goods from the vehicle.

During the search, a total of 499 cartons were recovered, including 252 cartons of Eskaf narcotic cough syrup and 247 cartons of ORS. The total number of recovered bottles of Eskaf syrup was around 12,600. According to North District SP Abinash Rai, the estimated black-market value of the seized narcotic cough syrup is approximately ₹1.26 crore.

Notably, although the lorry managed to cross the Assam and Tripura borders by evading the police at Churaibari police station, the smuggling attempt was ultimately foiled due to the alertness of the Sales Tax Department. This has clearly demonstrated the vigilance and efficiency of the district administration.

In connection with the incident, the driver of the lorry, Panjab Sheikh, and the co-driver, Basit Sheikh, have been arrested. Both are reported to be residents of Murshidabad district in West Bengal.

Police have registered a case under the NDPS Act and have begun an investigation. The investigating agency is probing who else is involved in this smuggling racket and where the narcotic cough syrup was intended to be delivered.