Security forces seized a large consignment of Yaba tablets valued at over Rs 20 lakh during a late-night operation in a border village of Tripura, officials confirmed on Monday.

Based on specific intelligence inputs, Tripura Police, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), conducted a joint raid in the Ichhaipara locality under Kadamtala Police Station in North Tripura district, close to the India–Bangladesh international border. The operation was carried out by personnel of the BSF’s 97th Battalion from Yakubnagar along with local police.

During the search of a house belonging to Taj Uddin, the team recovered 1,929 Yaba tablets concealed in 10 separate packets. In addition to the narcotics, four mobile phones, ₹77,910 in Indian currency, and 1,577 Bangladeshi taka were also seized.

Officials said the house owner managed to escape upon noticing the raid. However, another individual identified as Nizam Uddin, aged 41, a resident of Ward No. 5 under Bhagyapur Gram Panchayat, was apprehended at the spot.

Second Officer-in-Charge of Kadamtala Police Station, Remulas Sangma, stated that the estimated illicit market value of the seized Yaba tablets stands at approximately Rs 20.29 lakh.

A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police have launched a manhunt to trace and arrest the absconding accused. The arrested individual, along with the recovered contraband, cash, and mobile phones, will be presented before the Dharmanagar District and Sessions Court.

Meanwhile, residents of the border village alleged that the area has frequently been exploited by smugglers for cross-border drug trafficking. Police authorities have assured that intensified surveillance and sustained enforcement drives will be carried out to dismantle narcotics networks operating along the international border.