Tomtom driver arrested in Churaibari while smuggling heroin; large quantity of drugs seized.

A tomtom driver was caught in the police net while smuggling deadly heroin at Churaibari in Tripura’s North district. The arrested person has been identified as Islam Uddin (52), son of Mashab Ali. He is known to be a resident of Premtala area under Ward No. 6 of North Phulbari village, under Churaibari police station.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Churaibari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Debabrata Biswas conducted an operation. On Friday evening, Islam Uddin arrived at the Churaibari rail tri-junction area in his tomtom with a large quantity of heroin, allegedly to hand it over to another person. At that moment, the police intercepted him along with the vehicle. Later, in the presence of Dharmanagar Subdivisional Police Officer Jayanta Karmakar and the DCM, the tomtom was thoroughly searched. During the search, 46 grams of heroin and 37 small containers filled with heroin were found hidden inside a soap case. A forensic team tested the samples on the spot and confirmed the substance to be heroin. Islam Uddin was detained and taken to the police station.

According to police sources, the black market value of the seized heroin is estimated to be between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹3 lakh. A case has been registered at Churaibari Police Station under the NDPS Act, and an investigation has begun. Police are looking into who else may be involved in this smuggling network.

Sources also revealed that Islam Uddin had been caught several times earlier by both police and local residents for possessing heroin.

Meanwhile, tension spread across the area following the incident. Local residents have demanded exemplary punishment for the arrested drug trafficker—even the death penalty. Residents alleged that Islam Uddin has long been pushing the youth of Premtala, Churaibari, and North Phulbari toward drug addiction, ruining their lives.