Tripura Under Drug Siege: Statewide Spread of Narcotics Sparks Political Debate as Police Intensify Crackdown
Jayanta Debnath
February 19, 2026
Tripura is facing an alarming escalation in narcotics cultivation and trafficking, with ganja fields, heroin, brown sugar, Phensedyl and Yaba tablets reportedly spreading across districts, subdivisions and block-level areas of the state. There is hardly any district or subdivision today where such contraband is not being seized or where illegal cannabis cultivation is not being detected.
Despite frequent seizures and destruction drives, residents allege that the supply of intoxicants continues almost unabated. From rural forest belts to urban pockets, the availability of drugs has become a matter of serious public concern.
Allegations of Political Silence and Selective Action
What has further intensified the debate is the perception among sections of the public that the drug menace has taken on a political dimension. Except for a handful of ministers and legislators, many political leaders, both from ruling and opposition camps, are seen as not being vocal enough against the expanding narcotics network.
In some cases, allegations have surfaced that certain leaders have opposed police-led ganja destruction drives in their respective areas, even mobilising local residents against such operations. Citizens claim that law enforcement agencies are aware of the locations and extent of ganja plantations across the state, yet large-scale destruction drives are often conducted only after specific directives.
The situation has reportedly reached such a scale that police departments lack adequate storage facilities to preserve seized ganja after cutting down plantations. As a result, law enforcement agencies are compelled to burn the contraband in the fields themselves. While officials describe this as a necessary legal step to prevent re-circulation of the seized narcotics, environmental concerns have been raised due to the smoke and air pollution caused during such destruction drives.
Tilabazar Yaba Seizure
Amid this backdrop, another significant breakthrough was reported on February 19 this year from Tilabazar under Kailashahar subdivision in Unakoti district. Acting on secret information, police intercepted a vehicle during routine checking and recovered a substantial quantity of Yaba tablets from inside the car.
Two alleged traffickers were arrested in connection with the seizure. A case has been registered and investigation is underway to trace the wider network behind the consignment.
Massive Statewide Anti-Drug Operations
Over the past few weeks, Tripura Police and central forces have carried out multiple coordinated anti-narcotics drives across the state.
In Sonamura subdivision, a raid at Bijoynagar near a bridge led to the seizure of 520 kg of unclaimed dry ganja, estimated to be worth over Rs.1 crore in the illegal market.
Joint operations by Sonamura Police Station, BSF, TSR and Forest Department teams at Kamalanagar, Krishnadola and Ghatigarh forest areas resulted in the detection of 30 illegal ganja plots. Approximately 80,000 mature ganja plants spread across nearly 30 acres were destroyed on the spot, with an estimated market value of Rs. 12 crore.
Another raid at Rangamatia in the Bholamura forest area led to the destruction of around 15,000 mature ganja plants across 7 plots covering 5 acres. Additionally, 136 kg of dry ganja was seized.
Under Sidhai Police Station in West Tripura district, a major cannabis destruction drive saw nearly 1.5 lakh ganja plants uprooted across 45–50 plots, involving around 250 personnel from district police, CRPF, BSF and TSR units.
In Melaghar, a joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF), Special Branch and local police resulted in the seizure of 206 kg of dry ganja from forest land at Gamaicherra, Tuibandal.
At Agartala Railway Station, GRPS and RPF seized 2,998 bottles of Eskuf cough syrup from a parcel van, arresting one accused in connection with the consignment.
In another major operation at Sonamura, two alleged drug peddlers were detained from Durgapur area, and police seized 1.105 kg of suspected Yaba tablets along with a 7.65 mm pistol, live ammunition and both Indian and Bangladeshi currency. Cases have been registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, Arms Act and BNS, and legal proceedings are underway.
State-Level Drug Disposal
The State Level Drug Disposal Committee recently conducted pre-trial disposal of narcotics linked to 175 cases at Bodhjungnagar Industrial Area. Several tonnes of ganja, thousands of bottles of cough syrup, lakhs of tablets and heroin were destroyed in the presence of senior police officials.
Call for Sustained and Non-Political Action
While recent anti-drug operations demonstrate intensified enforcement, the scale and spread of narcotics across Tripura indicate that the challenge remains formidable. Public sentiment suggests that beyond periodic raids, a sustained, coordinated and non-partisan approach is required.
As seizures continue and investigations expand, the focus now shifts to whether Tripura can effectively dismantle the entrenched narcotics network and prevent the drug menace from further entrenching itself in the social and political fabric of the state.
(Tripurainfo)
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