West Bengal police have dismantled a major betel nut smuggling syndicate in north Bengal, seizing 1,17,200 kg of suspected contraband betel nuts across multiple storage facilities, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. A significant portion of the recovered consignment is reportedly of foreign origin, according to the Chief Minister's statement.

Key Details of the Operation

The crackdown was carried out by the Falakata Police under Alipurduar District Police, acting on credible intelligence. Two individuals — Bapon Saha and Sujan Barman — were apprehended at the scene, and cases have been registered under relevant sections of the law to seek police remand.

According to the Chief Minister, raids are actively continuing to trace and apprehend all remaining associates connected to the network. Officials have not yet disclosed the estimated street value of the seized consignment.

What the Chief Minister Said

Chief Minister Adhikari shared details of the operation through a social media post, describing it as evidence of the state government's zero-tolerance commitment against illicit trade, smuggling, and organised rackets.

“In a swift and decisive operation based on credible intelligence, the Falakata Police under Alipurduar District Police has successfully cracked down on a major illegal betel nut (supari) syndicate, seizing an astounding 1,17,200 kg of betel nuts across multiple storage facilities. A significant portion of the recovered consignment appears to be of foreign origin,” Adhikari stated.

He added: “No one involved in anti-social or unlawful activities will be spared,” while commending the Alipurduar District Police for their “vigilance, proactiveness and dedication to upholding law and order.”

North Bengal's Growing Smuggling Problem

This operation comes amid a broader pattern of illicit trade activity in north Bengal. For some time, the region has reportedly emerged as a transit hub for foreign-origin betel nuts smuggled into India. Earlier, officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had conducted searches at multiple locations in Darjeeling and Cooch Behar districts, uncovering a racket linked to the smuggling of foreign-origin betel nuts through the Indo-Myanmar border.

Notably, the ED's findings indicate that the smuggling network may have cross-border dimensions, making Tuesday's police seizure part of a larger, ongoing enforcement effort across multiple agencies.

Adhikari's Anti-Smuggling Push

Since assuming office as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal following the assembly elections earlier this year, Adhikari has consistently used public communications to highlight major police actions against smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and other illegal activities. The latest operation reinforces what his administration has described as a sustained crackdown on organised crime in the state.

With raids still ongoing and investigations into the network's full extent continuing, further arrests and seizures are expected in the coming days.