By Firstdespatch Desk Jun 30, 2026
Agartala, June 30 (FD) The Tripura Police have destroyed a large quantity of seized narcotic substances valued at nearly ₹9 crore, marking another major step in the state's ongoing campaign against drug trafficking. However, concerns persist over the effectiveness of efforts to dismantle the illegal drug supply chain and eradicate cannabis cultivation, with critics alleging that enforcement faces several operational and administrative challenges.
On June 29, the State Level Drug Disposal Committee (SLDDC) carried out the pre-trial destruction of narcotic and psychotropic substances linked to 451 criminal cases at the Bodhjungnagar Industrial Area, following the legal procedures prescribed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The disposal operation was conducted in the presence of Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) and SLDDC Chairman Manchak Ipper, IPS, Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Nabadwip Jamatia, IPS, and Superintendent of Police (Anti-Narcotics) Piyamadhuri Majumdar.
During the exercise, the committee destroyed:
10,932.23 kg of cannabis (ganja)
40,978 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup
1,76,441 psychotropic tablets
1,889.57 grams of heroin
The total estimated market value of the destroyed contraband was ₹8,99,99,878, or approximately ₹9 crore, officials said.
Police stated that the destruction was undertaken after completing all mandatory legal formalities and in compliance with the guidelines governing the disposal of seized narcotics.
Despite such large-scale seizure and disposal drives, concerns continue to be voiced by sections of civil society and political observers over the persistence of illegal cannabis cultivation in parts of the state. Critics argue that while substantial quantities of seized drugs are periodically destroyed, greater emphasis is needed on dismantling cultivation networks and disrupting the supply chain at its source.
There have also been allegations from some quarters that anti-cannabis operations occasionally encounter resistance from local groups. Some critics claim that such incidents have, at times, affected enforcement efforts, although these allegations have not been independently verified.
Law enforcement agencies maintain that the fight against narcotics remains a top priority and that sustained enforcement, intelligence-based operations, and inter-agency coordination are essential to curb drug trafficking. Observers note that while the destruction of narcotics worth nearly ₹9 crore demonstrates the scale of seizure operations, long-term success will depend on effectively targeting cultivation networks, traffickers and organised criminal syndicates involved in the illicit drug trade. JK FD