In a significant crackdown on narcotics smuggling, Tripura Police on Tuesday arrested a drug peddler and seized 67.400 kilograms of dried cannabis valued at around Rs 8 lakh from his residence in Sepahijala district.

Officer-in-Charge of Sonamura Police Station, Tapas Das, informed that the contraband was recovered from the house of the accused, identified as Taher Mia (58), a resident of Matinagar, Gilamura, under Sonamura Police Station. The dried cannabis was found hidden inside four plastic bags.

During initial interrogation, Mia confessed that the consignment was meant to be smuggled into Bangladesh. Police sources said that while the contraband’s market value in Tripura is estimated at around ₹8 lakh, across the border it fetches nearly 2,000 Bangladeshi Taka per kilogram—amounting to over Rs 8.04 lakh in total.

A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at Sonamura Police Station. Officials suspect that more people from the area may be involved in the racket, and further arrests are likely.

“The accused will be produced before the court tomorrow with a prayer for police remand,” Officer-in-Charge Das confirmed.