In a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on narcotics smuggling, Tripura Police have made a major bust, arresting a drug peddler and seizing a substantial quantity of dried cannabis. The contraband, weighing 67.400 kilograms and valued at around Rs 8 lakh, was discovered at the residence of the accused, identified as Taher Mia, a 58-year-old resident of Matinagar, Gilamura in Sonamura Police Station in Sipahijala district.
Tapas Das, the Officer-in-Charge of Sonamura Police Station, reported that the cannabis was found concealed in four plastic bags. Mia, during preliminary interrogation, confessed that the drugs were intended to be smuggled across the border to Bangladesh. With Sipahijala district sharing a large part of the international border with Bangladesh, such smuggling operations are unfortunately not uncommon.
Sources within the police department revealed that while the contraband is valued at approximately Rs 8 lakh in the local market, it could fetch a significantly higher price of around 2,000 Bangladeshi Taka per kilogram across the border. This would amount to over Rs 8.04 lakh in total.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Sonamura Police Station. Authorities suspect that there may be several more individuals from the area involved in the smuggling racket, and further arrests are expected to follow.
Officer-in-Charge Das confirmed that the accused will be presented before the High Court tomorrow with a plea for appropriate police remand. The police are determined to root out drug trafficking in the region and are committed to taking strong action against those involved in such illegal activities.
