Agartala, Jan 11 (NationPress) The drug peddlers currently under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Tripura have established an interstate network that aids in drug trafficking to several other states, including Assam, Bihar, and multiple regions across India, as reported by officials on Saturday.
On Friday, the ED conducted a series of coordinated search operations in various locations throughout Tripura, executing these actions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The focus was on dismantling inter-state drug cartels involved in the distribution of narcotics, such as ganja and phensidyl.
According to sources, the ED launched investigations into three separate money laundering cases, prompted by multiple FIRs filed by the Tripura Police under different sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. These cases involve individuals like Kamini Debbarma, Bishu Tripura, Aup Ranjan Das, and others accused of trafficking narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Officials stated, "The accused individuals maintained an interstate network that facilitated drug trafficking across various states, including Tripura, Assam, Bihar, and other parts of India".
This operation is part of the ongoing measures by the ED to combat the illegal drug trade and to trace and seize the Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated from unlawful drug trafficking activities.
The ED's investigation has uncovered that the POC, accrued through drug trafficking and funneled via hawala, was deposited into benami accounts and then used to acquire various movable (like fixed deposits and bank balances) and immovable assets in the names of family members and 'benamidars' (proxy owners).
During these search operations, significant quantities (approximately 66 kgs) of high-quality ganja (marijuana) were seized, along with other incriminating materials, such as financial documents, details of benami properties, and electronic devices, indicating the generation of substantial POC.
Further investigations are ongoing.
Another source within the Tripura government indicated that during the search operations on Friday across three districts of Tripura—West Tripura, South Tripura, and Sepahijala—the ED identified seven individuals, including Dhruba Majumdar, an Assistant Sub-Inspector with the Tripura Police, involved in the drug trafficking scheme.
Majumdar is currently assigned to the Crime Branch under the South Tripura district's Superintendent of Police and resides in Baikhora.
The source further noted that the Tripura Police is considering appropriate legal and administrative actions against Majumdar.
As part of their investigation, ED officials also summoned and interrogated several officials from Tripura Gramin Bank early Friday.
Despite Tripura emerging as a significant producer of ganja and a transit point for synthetic drugs, including highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, this marks the first instance of such extensive raids conducted by a central agency targeting prominent drug operatives in Tripura.
