Assam Rifles and Customs officials seized meth tablets worth ₹14 crore in Tripura’s Khowai district, arresting one suspect. This marks the second major drug bust in a week, highlighting the region’s vulnerability as a transit route for narcotics from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Law enforcement pledges stricter action.
In a blow to cross-border narcotics trafficking, the Assam Rifles, in a coordinated operation with Customs officials, seized methamphetamine tablets valued at ₹14 crore in Tripura’s Khowai district late Monday night. A truck driver transporting the illicit consignment was arrested on the spot.
According to a defence spokesperson, the seizure occurred at Tuchandrai Bazar in Khowai, where joint teams of Assam Rifles and Customs officials intercepted a suspicious truck. Upon a meticulous inspection, the teams recovered 1.4 lakh methamphetamine tablets concealed within the vehicle.
The arrested individual, identified as the truck driver, was taken into custody and handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and legal proceedings. Officials said the contraband was likely part of a larger network funnelling drugs through Northeast India and into neighbouring Bangladesh.
“This successful joint operation demonstrates our commitment to curbing illegal activities and ensuring peace and security in the region,” said the spokesperson. Authorities believe the meth tablets—also known as Yaba or party tablets—were being trafficked from Myanmar, transiting through Mizoram and parts of southern Assam, before entering Tripura en route to Bangladesh.
This operation marks the second major drug seizure by Assam Rifles in Tripura within a single week. On July 16, Assam Rifles, working in tandem with the Tripura Police, intercepted another truck in Khayerpur, West Tripura. That operation yielded three lakh methamphetamine tablets worth ₹30 crore, although the driver managed to escape.
The frequency and scale of these seizures underscore the increasing use of Tripura as a corridor for narcotics smuggling. Law enforcement agencies suspect the drugs originate from Myanmar’s Chin State, a notorious hub for narcotics, wildlife trafficking, and various other illicit trades.
From Chin State, smugglers often route the contraband through Mizoram’s six bordering districts—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip—which together share an unfenced 510-km border with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh. These porous frontiers make enforcement especially challenging.
Methamphetamine, which comes in tablet, powder, or crystalline form—known colloquially as “ice” or “crystal meth”—is a potent stimulant. It suppresses the need for sleep and heightens alertness, making it popular among partygoers and youth. However, it is also highly addictive and associated with severe health and social consequences.
Tripura’s Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, recently issued a stern warning about the growing influence of drug networks in the state. Speaking at a ‘Drug-Free India Campaign’ event in West Tripura last week, he emphasized that law enforcement will remain vigilant and uncompromising in its efforts to dismantle narcotic supply chains.
He further stated that several influential individuals are suspected of being involved in the drug trade for financial gain, but assured the public that no one would be spared if found guilty. “Tripura will not be allowed to become a safe passage for smugglers,” the Chief Minister asserted.
Officials have called for deeper cooperation between state police, central armed forces, and intelligence agencies to stop the inflow of drugs and identify kingpins behind these operations. Enhanced surveillance at border checkpoints, deployment of canine squads, and increased use of technology such as scanners and drones are also being considered.
The latest seizures have reignited the debate on strengthening border fencing, improving infrastructure, and expanding community-level awareness campaigns in vulnerable border districts.
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As Tripura continues its battle against narcotics, security agencies urge the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities, asserting that the war against drugs is a collective responsibility.
