Tripura saw over 100 pc rise in narcotics seizures in 2025: Minister

Tripura recorded a 102 per cent increase in narcotics seizures in 2025 compared to the previous year, with drugs worth around Rs 1,600 crore seized, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy said on Thursday.
Addressing the state-level programme organised to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Roy said the increase in seizures reflected intensified enforcement following the state's adoption of a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking.
"Those involved in illicit trafficking will not be tolerated. Stringent action has been taken after adopting the zero-tolerance policy. Narcotic substances are being seized in different parts of the state, which shows that various government agencies are working together to curb drug trafficking," he said.
The minister said narcotics worth about Rs 800 crore were seized in 2024, while the value of seizures rose to around Rs 1,600 crore in 2025.
He said more than 1,000 cases related to narcotics had been registered over the past three years and claimed that the conviction rate in such cases had also improved.
Roy further said that over 15 lakh ganja saplings were destroyed during 2024 as part of the anti-drug campaign.
He expressed concern that Tripura, which was once considered a transit corridor for narcotics, had now emerged as a consumer market, making the challenge more serious.
The minister said the government had undertaken several initiatives to make Tripura a drug-free state, including strengthening rehabilitation infrastructure.
He said a 200-bed de-addiction hospital was being established in Sepahijala district, while eight additional de-addiction centres with 50 beds each were also under construction.
Highlighting the role of sports in preventing substance abuse, Roy said participation in sports and physical activities could help keep young people away from drugs.
He also said the government was simultaneously working to address other social issues, including child marriage, and noted that reporting of such cases had increased.
District Magistrate West Tripura Dr Vishal Kumar, SP West Tripura Namit Pathak, West Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadipati (acting) Biswajit Sil, Chairperson TCW Jharna Debbarma, Chairperson TCPCR Jayanti Debbarma and other senior officials of the concerned department were present at the function.