Over one lakh yaba tablets worth Rs 8 crore seized in Tripura, drug kingpin held

By  Firstdespatch Desk   May 17, 2026

Agartala, May 17 (FD) In a major anti-narcotics operation, a joint team of the paramilitary Assam Rifles and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized more than one lakh highly addictive Yaba tablets valued at nearly Rs 8 crore in the black market and arrested an alleged drug trafficker in Tripura.

Acting on A tip-off, the joint team intercepted a Mahindra pick-up van bearing registration number TR05G1855 and conducted a thorough search of the vehicle.

During the search operation, officials recovered more than one lakh Yaba tablets concealed inside the vehicle. 

The joint team also apprehended Kauser Hossain (28), a resident of the Jatanbari area under Gomati district, from the vehicle. Sources described him as a suspected key operative in an interstate drug smuggling network allegedly active in Tripura and adjoining regions.

Officials said the seized consignment is estimated to be worth around Rs 8 crore in the illegal drug market. 

Yaba, a dangerous synthetic drug containing methamphetamine and caffeine, is known for its highly addictive properties and has emerged as a major concern in several northeastern states due to cross-border trafficking routes.

Sources informed that Kauser Hossain is currently under the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and is being subjected to intensive interrogation to uncover details about the larger narcotics network, including suppliers, transport channels, and possible interstate links.

After completion of the DRI interrogation process, the accused is expected to be handed over to Tripura Police for further legal proceedings and prosecution before the court. FD JK