The joint operation between Assam Rifles and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) led to the seizure of 60,000 Yaba tablets in Tripura on April 12, 2025. The authorities arrested two residents from Assam in connection with the incident, marking another major success in the fight against narcotics trafficking in the Northeast. The seizure took place during a coordinated raid near the Churaibari area in North Tripura, close to the Assam-Tripura border.
Security personnel had acted on specific intelligence that pointed towards a major movement of narcotic substances from a neighboring state. Assam Rifles personnel, in collaboration with DRI officials, intercepted a vehicle bearing an Assam registration number. Upon searching the vehicle, the officials discovered a hidden compartment packed with Yaba tablets. The two individuals, identified as residents of Karimganj district in Assam, failed to provide valid documents or any legal justification for the large cache of drugs in their possession.
Officials moved swiftly to detain the suspects and transport the seized tablets to a secured location. Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment was being smuggled into Tripura from across the international border, with plans to distribute the tablets across various Northeastern states. The use of Tripura as a transit route for narcotics smuggling has increased in recent years, given its proximity to porous borders and limited monitoring in certain regions.
Assam Rifles emphasized the growing threat posed by synthetic drugs like Yaba, which have gained popularity among youth due to their stimulant effects. They warned that these tablets, typically a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, are particularly dangerous and contribute to rising substance abuse cases across the Northeast. The DRI added that the street value of the seized consignment runs into crores of rupees, making this one of the largest Yaba seizures in recent months.
The operation has sparked renewed discussions about strengthening cross-border intelligence sharing and deploying advanced surveillance tools to monitor vulnerable areas. Officials pointed out that while Tripura has seen multiple successful anti-drug operations this year, traffickers continue to find new routes and methods to evade law enforcement. The repeated involvement of inter-state networks has further complicated efforts to track and dismantle the supply chains.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha lauded the Assam Rifles and DRI for their prompt action and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on narcotics. He stressed the importance of collaboration between central and state agencies to ensure that such illicit activities are curbed. In a statement, he urged the youth to stay away from drugs and encouraged local communities to play a proactive role in alerting authorities about suspicious activities.
Police officials confirmed that the arrested individuals would face charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigators have begun tracking the financial and communication records of the accused to determine their links to larger drug syndicates operating within and outside the region. Authorities expect further arrests as the probe expands into cross-border networks and their connections with local operatives.
In recent years, the Northeast has emerged as a key corridor in the narcotics trade, with various synthetic and organic drugs making their way from Myanmar into India through poorly guarded border points. The Centre has increased funding for border security infrastructure, but officials acknowledge that traffickers often take advantage of remote terrain and limited manpower.
This latest haul has once again placed the spotlight on Tripura’s strategic location in the regional drug trade and the urgent need for coordinated counter-narcotic strategies. Officials plan to intensify patrols and intelligence gathering in the region while also reaching out to neighboring states to streamline anti-drug operations.
The government has also proposed awareness campaigns in vulnerable districts to educate young people about the dangers of drug use and trafficking. Local NGOs and community leaders have welcomed these initiatives and pledged to support the state in its fight against the drug menace.
The success of the Churaibari operation has added momentum to the anti-drug campaign in Tripura. Authorities now aim to build on this momentum with a mix of enforcement, community engagement, and regional cooperation.
