Police seized a large consignment of dry cannabis, estimated to be worth around Rs 50 lakh in the illicit market, from a goods-carrying Bolero vehicle travelling from Agartala towards Assam and arrested the driver in connection with the alleged smuggling attempt in North Tripura.
According to police sources, the seizure was made during a special operation at the Jherjheri naka point late Wednesday night. The operation was led by Sub-Inspector Manoj Pal of Kadamtala police station following a tip-off about the suspected transportation of narcotics.
Acting on the information, police intercepted the Bolero and conducted a search. Senior police officials, an official identified as DCM and a forensic team were subsequently called to assist with the operation.
During the search, the team discovered a specially designed concealed compartment inside the vehicle's body. Upon opening the secret chamber, police recovered a substantial quantity of dry cannabis packed in 17 packets of different sizes.
The arrested driver was identified as Kishan Ghosh, 29, a resident of Subhashnagar in the East Pratapgarh area of Agartala.
During preliminary interrogation, Ghosh allegedly told police that the cannabis had been loaded into the vehicle near the Khayerpur bypass area of Agartala and was being transported to Assam for smuggling.
Sub-Inspector Manoj Pal said the seized cannabis had an estimated illicit market value of approximately Rs 50 lakh.
A case has been registered against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the source of the contraband and identify other individuals suspected to be involved in the interstate smuggling network.
