Bengal Police bust interstate drug haul at Purulia; CM Adhikari praises joint op
Synopsis
A Kolkata Police STF team, working with Purulia District Police, cracked open an interstate drug trafficking route on NH-18, seizing a large ganja cache hidden in a truck's concealed cavity and detaining seven people. The bust is the most visible early test of CM Suvendu Adhikari's zero-tolerance drug policy — and of a reformed Kolkata Police still rebuilding its credibility after years of political controversy.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police STF and Purulia District Police jointly intercepted a drug trafficking convoy on NH-18 near Belkuri Toll Plaza late on Monday, 27 July .
A large quantity of cannabis (ganja) was recovered from a specially concealed cavity behind the driver's seat of a truck.
Three vehicles in total were intercepted — the truck and two escort vehicles travelling from Odisha towards Asansol .
Seven individuals have been detained in connection with the operation.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the operation on X on 28 July , reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking.
The bust coincides with ongoing Kolkata Police reforms , including a mandatory uniform code aimed at ending plain-clothes political deployments.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday, 28 July commended Kolkata Police and Purulia District Police for jointly dismantling a major interstate drug trafficking operation on National Highway-18 near the Belkuri Toll Plaza in Purulia, recovering a large quantity of cannabis (ganja) concealed inside a truck. The operation, carried out late Monday night, led to the detention of seven individuals and the interception of three vehicles in total.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off, the Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF), in coordination with the Purulia Muffasil Police Station, intercepted a truck on NH-18 near the Belkuri Toll Plaza. Investigators found a large cache of contraband ganja hidden in a specially constructed cavity behind the driver's seat.
Two escort vehicles accompanying the truck — travelling from Odisha towards Asansol — were also stopped. In all, seven individuals were detained in connection with the operation, according to the Chief Minister's statement.
What CM Adhikari Said
'I commend the swift, coordinated and resolute action of our Law Enforcement Agencies. In a major breakthrough, last night, @KolkataPolice STF, in coordination with the Purulia District Police, successfully intercepted a major interstate drug trafficking operation,' Adhikari wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning, to which he also attached a video of the operation.
He added: 'A large quantity of contraband (ganja) was recovered from a specially concealed cavity behind the driver's seat. Two escort vehicles moving from Odisha towards Asansol alongside the truck were also intercepted, and seven individuals have been detained in total.'
Adhikari also reaffirmed the state government's position: 'We will continue to root out criminal networks with an iron fist,' stating that West Bengal maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drug trafficking and any activities that threaten the safety of the state's youth and society.
Broader Context: Kolkata Police Reforms
The drug bust comes amid a wider reform drive within Kolkata Police since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government under Adhikari came to power in 2026, ending 15 years of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule under Mamata Banerjee. Authorities have framed these changes as an effort to restore the force's historical reputation as the 'Scotland Yard of the East.'
Among the most notable reforms is the reintroduction of a mandatory uniform code, reportedly aimed at curbing the misuse of plain-clothes deployments for political purposes — a practice critics say became widespread under the previous administration. A recent order bars personnel at all levels from performing official duties in plain dress, with exemptions granted to the Detective Department, Special Branch, Enforcement Branch, Special Task Force, and Cybercrime Division, where plain-clothes work is operationally essential.
What Happens Next
The detained individuals are expected to face formal charges under relevant narcotics laws. Investigators are likely to probe the supply chain to determine the origin and intended destination of the seized consignment, particularly given that the convoy was reportedly moving from Odisha — pointing to a possible cross-state trafficking network. The operation signals an intensifying crackdown on drug corridors passing through West Bengal.
Point of View
Where Kolkata Police faced repeated accusations of partisan deployment. The uniform-code reform is a credible structural step, but the real test will be whether these operations translate into sustained disruption of trafficking networks rather than headline-friendly one-off seizures. West Bengal sits on a sensitive drug transit corridor, and a single intercepted truck, however welcome, does not yet constitute a dismantled supply chain.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Purulia drug bust on 27 July?
A large quantity of cannabis (ganja) was recovered from a specially concealed cavity behind the driver's seat of a truck intercepted on NH-18 near the Belkuri Toll Plaza in Purulia. Two escort vehicles accompanying the truck were also seized, and seven individuals were detained.
Who carried out the drug trafficking operation bust in Purulia?
The operation was a joint effort by the Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF) and the Purulia District Police, acting on a tip-off. It took place late on the night of 27 July under the jurisdiction of Purulia Muffasil Police Station.
What did CM Suvendu Adhikari say about the drug bust?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the operation in a post on X on 28 July, commending the 'swift, coordinated and resolute action' of law enforcement and reaffirming that West Bengal maintains a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drug trafficking. He also attached a video of the operation to his post.
Where was the drug convoy coming from and where was it headed?
According to the Chief Minister's statement, the two escort vehicles were moving from Odisha towards Asansol when they were intercepted alongside the truck on NH-18, suggesting a cross-state trafficking route through West Bengal.
What reforms is Kolkata Police undergoing under the new BJP government?
Since the BJP came to power in West Bengal in 2026, Kolkata Police has reintroduced a mandatory uniform code to curb plain-clothes political deployments — a practice critics linked to the previous TMC administration. Exemptions apply to specialised units including the Detective Department, Special Branch, STF, Enforcement Branch, and Cybercrime Division.
