Police seized ₹2.5 crore worth of Yaba tablets during a major drug bust at Churaibari Watch Post in Patharkandi. Two accused were arrested as officers uncovered 50,000 tablets hidden in a luxury car en route from Mizoram to Tripura.
Police seized a massive consignment of 50,000 Yaba tablets valued at around ₹2.5 crore during a routine vehicle check at Churaibari Watch Post on Monday afternoon. The high-profile seizure once again highlighted the persistent threat of cross-border narcotics smuggling in the region and the vigilance of law enforcement agencies combating the menace.
The incident occurred around 1:30 PM in the Patharkandi area near the Tripura-Assam border. The intercepted vehicle, a luxury car with the registration number MZ01AA-4524, was traveling from Mizoram to Tripura when police officers, acting on a prior intelligence tip-off, flagged it down for inspection.
Hidden Compartment Reveals Massive Cache
Although the initial check of the vehicle did not reveal any suspicious items, the persistence of the officers paid off. A thorough inspection led to the discovery of a concealed compartment behind the steering wheel, ingeniously designed to evade detection. Inside, the police uncovered 25 tightly packed parcels, each containing 2,000 Yaba tablets. In total, the haul added up to 50,000 tablets, a consignment with a black-market valuation estimated at ₹2.5 crore.
Arrest of Two Accused
Police immediately took into custody two suspects traveling in the vehicle. They were identified as Rajib Uddin (27), son of Joyjul Haque from Dalgram in the Ratabari area, and Dilwar Hussain (24), son of Rehan Uddin from Panighat in Patharkandi.
According to police officials, both individuals were directly linked to the trafficking attempt and are believed to be part of a wider network of narcotics smugglers operating in the Northeast. The arrested youths are being charged under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which carries severe penalties for possession and trafficking of banned substances.
Continued Anti-Narcotics Efforts
Churaibari Watch Post In-Charge Pranab Mili, who led the operation, confirmed the success of the bust and reiterated the police department’s commitment to eliminating the drug menace.
“This seizure underscores our determination to crack down on narcotics trafficking. We will continue our anti-narcotics operations with full force to ensure such illegal activities do not destroy the lives of youth in our region,” Mili stated.
He further added that the department has intensified patrolling and inspections in sensitive border points, which are often exploited by traffickers attempting to move narcotics from neighboring states into Tripura and beyond.
Regional Context of the Drug Menace
Yaba tablets, often referred to as the “madness drug,” are a dangerous combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, widely abused for their stimulant effects. Originally produced in clandestine labs in Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, the tablets have found a growing illicit market across South Asia. The Northeast region of India, with its porous international borders and proximity to Myanmar, has become a critical transit route for such narcotics.
In recent years, multiple seizures have highlighted how traffickers attempt to use Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura as entry points to smuggle narcotics into the Indian mainland. Monday’s operation adds to a string of successful busts by law enforcement, showcasing both the scale of the trafficking networks and the vigilance required to disrupt them.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation Ahead
Authorities confirmed that both Rajib Uddin and Dilwar Hussain are undergoing interrogation to identify their broader network, including potential suppliers and financiers. Investigators are focusing on whether the consignment was linked to cross-border networks from Myanmar, where large-scale Yaba production is concentrated.
The arrested individuals will be produced before a court and prosecuted under the NDPS Act. Given the scale of the seizure, the case is expected to be pursued with priority to send a strong message against drug trafficking.
The seizure of ₹2.5 crore worth of Yaba tablets at Churaibari Watch Post is one of the largest recent busts in the region and a reminder of the scale of narcotics trafficking threatening Northeast India. While the arrests mark a victory for law enforcement, the incident also underscores the urgent need for coordinated action, intelligence sharing, and community awareness to combat the growing menace of synthetic drugs.
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As the investigation continues, authorities have reaffirmed their resolve to maintain strict surveillance and intensify anti-drug operations to safeguard the youth and society from the devastating impact of narcotics.
