Police seize Rs 50 Lakh worth of banned cough syrup at Churaibari Check Gate

In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling, police at the Assam–Tripura border’s Churaibari check gate intercepted a truck and seized a massive consignment of banned cough syrup valued at nearly Rs 50 lakh in the black market.

The operation unfolded around noon on Wednesday when a 12-wheeler truck (PB08CX-5608) arrived at the checkpoint under Bazaarichara Police Station. Initially appearing to be loaded only with sacks of potatoes, the vehicle was subjected to routine inspection. Upon deeper search, officers uncovered 92 cartons containing 14,100 bottles of banned codeine-phosphate-based Eskuf cough syrup concealed beneath the potato sacks.

The driver, identified as Yogesh Kumar from Punjab, was arrested on the spot. He claimed he was transporting potatoes from Siliguri to Agartala, but police suspect the narcotics were being smuggled into Tripura for wider distribution.

Police sources confirmed that the seized consignment has been confiscated, and investigations are underway to trace the origins of the supply chain and identify others involved in the racket. Officer-in-Charge Niranjan Das has initiated a probe to determine the network behind the smuggling attempt.

A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, and authorities are intensifying efforts to dismantle the trafficking ring operating across the interstate border.