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Agartala, Nov 18 (IANS) In a major success against drug trafficking, dismantling an international drug syndicate linked to Pakistan, Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Customs department, seized 800 grams of cocaine worth about Rs 8 crore and arrested two drug smugglers in Tripura, officials said on Tuesday.
Acting on specific intelligence about a drug-trafficking syndicate smuggling high-purity cocaine into India through the Punjab border from Pakistan, the Agartala Customs department has busted a major narcotics network operating across multiple states, a Customs official said.
He said the syndicate transported the contraband to Tripura and other north-eastern states through surface routes for smuggling to Bangladesh and South East Asian countries through Mizoram.
Following actionable inputs in Tripura sector, a joint operation was launched on Monday (November 17) during which two Indian nationals were caught with 800 grams of high purity cocaine in Agartala.
Assistance was sought from Assam Rifles for surveillance and perimeter security during the operation.
Preliminary investigations indicate the involvement of Pakistani nationals as well as Indian operatives from several states in the syndicate, which fueled the smuggling network, the official said.
Earlier, a defense spokesperson said Assam Rifles in a joint operation with Customs department officials seized 800 grams of high-grade cocaine in the heart of Tripura capital Agartala on Monday.
He said the seized drug, which is worth around Rs 8 crore, is one of the most significant cocaine seizures in the region in recent months.
The operation launched based on credible intelligence also resulted in the arrest of two persons involved in the smuggling attempt.
The operation underlines Assam Rifles’ unwavering commitment towards a drug-free society and its continuous efforts to curb the menace of drug trafficking in the North-Eastern region, an official statement said.
The statement said the force is determined to protect the youth from the menace of drugs and ensure the security of the area.
A separate large-scale operation was successfully carried out by state and central forces at several places in Tripura’s Sipahijala district on Tuesday to eliminate illegal ‘Ganja’ (cannabis) cultivation.
A police spokesperson said the operation was jointly carried out by Sipahijala district police, four Tripura State Rifles (TSR) battalions, Central Reserve Police Force, Women Tripura State Rifles, district civil administration and forest department personnel.
The operation was led by Sipahijala Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma, targeting Toktumdam, Chitta Rambara, Ukamara, Tulamura Kamalnagar and Ghutiger areas under five police zones.
The spokesperson said the action was based on credible intelligence gathered by the state police.
He said that during the operation, around 12 lakh semi-mature cannabis plants worth around Rs 50 crore were detected and destroyed, dealing a significant blow to illicit drug cultivation and trafficking in the region.
–IANS
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