Agartala, Sep 29 (NationPress) The Assam Rifles have successfully confiscated drugs valued at over Rs 60 crore in Tripura, as reported by officials on Monday.

A spokesperson from the defense indicated that a significant operation was executed in the bordering Mohanpur region of the West Tripura district, targeting the persistent issue of narcotics.

Acting on reliable intelligence, troops promptly intercepted a large shipment, thwarting an effort by drug traffickers to utilize the festive period of Durga Puja for smuggling highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, commonly referred to as Yaba tablets, into the state.

This operation resulted in the recovery of 60.77 kg of illicit methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 60 crore.

The successful operation was attributed to quick response times, accurate intelligence, and effective execution, which halted the narcotics from reaching their designated distribution channels, as noted by the spokesman.

This accomplishment once again highlights the unwavering dedication of the 'Sentinels of the North East' to combat the illegal drug trade and protect the youth from this perilous threat during the Durga Puja festivities.

According to a police official, the drugs were smuggled from Myanmar, passing through Mizoram and Assam, before arriving in Tripura for transit to neighboring Bangladesh.

With an 856 km border with Bangladesh, Tripura is encircled on three sides by the neighboring country, rendering the northeastern state vulnerable to cross-border migration, various crimes, illegal trading, and movement challenges.

Most of the border has been fenced off to deter smuggling, transnational crimes, illegal crossings by infiltrators, and hostile elements, except for certain areas.

As reported by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, law enforcement agencies have detained 248 individuals for illegal drug use and apprehended 2,729 drug traffickers in the past three fiscal years.

While responding to inquiries from Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman and CPI-M legislator Sudip Sarkar in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that in addition to the arrest of 2,729 drug peddlers during the last three fiscal years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25), security agencies are currently pursuing 28 additional drug sellers who are on the run.

CM Saha, who also oversees the Home Department, noted in a written response that under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the conviction rates were 11.7 percent in 2022 and 2023, and 5 percent in 2024.

Following court directives, the High-Level Drug Disposal Committee and State-Level Drug Disposal Committee have destroyed and incinerated the seized drugs at pre-designated locations, as per the Chief Minister's statement.