Assam Rifles seized methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 60 crore in Tripura’s West district. The crackdown highlights Tripura’s vulnerability to cross-border drug trafficking and the state’s ongoing battle against narcotics during Durga Puja celebrations.
The Assam Rifles seized methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 60 crore in Tripura, officials confirmed on Monday. The operation, conducted near the bordering Mohanpur area of West Tripura district, is being hailed as a decisive strike against the illegal drug trade in the Northeast.
According to a defence spokesman, the seizure followed precise intelligence inputs about a large consignment of methamphetamine, commonly known as Yaba tablets, being transported into the state. The operation was carried out swiftly to prevent traffickers from exploiting the festive atmosphere of Durga Puja to push drugs into Tripura.
“Acting on credible intelligence, our troops successfully intercepted a major consignment, preventing it from reaching its intended networks. The recovery of 60.77 kg of Yaba tablets worth Rs 60 crore is a testament to the commitment and vigilance of our forces,” the spokesman said.
The operation not only prevented a huge drug consignment from reaching its market but also highlighted the coordinated efforts of security agencies to keep Tripura’s youth safe during the festive season. The Assam Rifles, often referred to as the Sentinels of the North East, have been at the forefront of countering cross-border smuggling and narcotics networks in the region.
Tripura’s Vulnerability to Drug Trafficking
Tripura’s geographical location makes it highly vulnerable to drug trafficking. The state shares an 856-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh, which surrounds it on three sides. Despite extensive fencing across most parts of the frontier, several patches remain porous, allowing opportunities for smuggling, infiltration, and other illegal cross-border activities.
Officials revealed that the seized narcotics were originally smuggled from Myanmar and brought through Mizoram and Assam before entering Tripura. The ultimate objective of the traffickers was to smuggle the consignment into neighbouring Bangladesh, where there is a significant demand for methamphetamine.
A senior police official stressed that the route through Tripura has become increasingly attractive to traffickers due to its proximity to Bangladesh and the presence of numerous transit points along the border.
Government’s Fight Against Drugs
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also heads the state’s Home Department, reaffirmed the government’s determination to tackle the drug menace. He disclosed that security and law-enforcement agencies have arrested 248 people for illegal drug consumption and apprehended 2,729 drug peddlers over the last three financial years.
Replying to queries in the Tripura Assembly from Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman and CPI-M legislator Sudip Sarkar, Saha also informed that security agencies are actively pursuing 28 absconding drug sellers.
“The state is taking all measures under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, to break the nexus of smugglers and safeguard the younger generation. Though challenges remain, our agencies are resolutely committed to the task,” the Chief Minister stated.
Conviction Rates and Drug Disposal
Despite the large number of arrests, conviction rates under the NDPS Act remain a concern. Saha revealed that Tripura recorded an 11.7 percent conviction rate in 2022 and 2023, while the rate fell to 5 percent in 2024. Legal experts have pointed out that the complex judicial process and lack of strong evidence in some cases hinder higher conviction rates.
To prevent seized drugs from re-entering illegal markets, Tripura has implemented strict disposal measures. Following court orders, the High-Level Drug Disposal Committee and the State-Level Drug Disposal Committee have destroyed narcotics in pre-notified places under strict supervision. Large consignments, including the latest seizure, are systematically burned or neutralized to ensure they cannot be misused.
A Strong Message Against Smuggling
The latest operation sends a strong message to traffickers attempting to exploit Tripura’s strategic location. By foiling such a large smuggling attempt, security forces have reaffirmed their vigilance during sensitive times like the Durga Puja festival, when traffickers often try to take advantage of relaxed atmospheres.
With continuous seizures, cross-border surveillance, and government efforts, Tripura is positioning itself as a state determined to break free from the cycle of narcotics smuggling. However, the challenges of geography, demand, and organized networks require constant vigilance, cooperation with neighbouring states, and international coordination.
| Also Read: Tripura supplies 45 MW to Bangladesh during Durga Puja: Power Minister |
The seizure of Rs 60 crore worth of methamphetamine tablets stands as both a warning to traffickers and a reassurance to citizens that law-enforcement agencies remain alert in protecting the youth and future of the region.
