Tripura Police seized 50 kg of methamphetamine tablets — commonly known as Yaba or 'party' tablets — valued at over ₹40 crore and arrested one drug peddler on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, in a major narcotics operation under the Panisagar Police Station in North Tripura. The haul is among the largest single seizures recorded in the state and deals a significant blow to a cross-border trafficking network suspected of linking Myanmar, Mizoram, Tripura, and Bangladesh.

What Was Seized and Where

The contraband consisted of Yaba tablets — a potent mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine that is banned in India and widely misused in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries. Police suspect the consignment was smuggled from Myanmar into Mizoram before being routed through Tripura en route to Bangladesh. Tripura shares a 109 km interstate border with Mizoram and an 856 km international border with Bangladesh, making it a strategic transit corridor for traffickers.

Chief Minister Manik Saha Hails the Operation

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the home portfolio, praised the police action in a post on X. 'A major breakthrough in our fight against drugs! In a significant operation, North Tripura Police under Panisagar Police Station seized 50 kg of Yaba tablets valued at approx. ₹40 crore, a major blow to the illicit drug network,' he wrote. Saha added: 'This success reflects the unwavering commitment of our police and security forces to protect our youth and society from the menace of drugs and strengthens our mission towards a Nasha Mukt Tripura.'

The Northeast's Drug-Trafficking Problem

The operation highlights a systemic challenge facing India's northeastern states. Mizoram and Manipur have emerged as primary drug-trafficking corridors due to their long and largely porous international borders with Myanmar. Six districts of Mizoram and five districts of Manipur together share approximately 910 km of unfenced international border with Myanmar, which sits adjacent to the Golden Triangle — one of the world's most prolific illicit narcotics-producing regions. Alongside Yaba, cough syrups containing codeine phosphate are also frequently smuggled into Bangladesh through these corridors.

State's Wider Anti-Drug Strategy

The seizure comes against the backdrop of a broader policy push by the Tripura government. Chief Minister Saha has previously stated that his administration follows a zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking and has directed law enforcement to take 'all-out measures' against drug-related activity. The state government has also decided to establish drug de-addiction centres in all eight districts of Tripura, with ₹20 crore earmarked for each facility. Separately, the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned ₹198 crore to set up a dedicated drug de-addiction centre at Bishramganj in Sepahijala district. The combination of enforcement and rehabilitation signals a dual-track approach that analysts say is essential to addressing addiction at the community level.

With the peddler now in custody, investigators are expected to probe the wider supply chain to determine whether the network extends further into the Northeast or has links to organised trafficking groups operating out of Myanmar.