Tripura Police seize ₹2.36 crore banned cough syrup haul from Deoghar Express
Synopsis
Tripura Police have pulled off the state's second-biggest banned cough syrup bust — 39,345 bottles worth ₹2.36 crore, hidden in metal drums aboard the Deoghar Express from Bihar. With one arrest made and a known trafficking network in the crosshairs, the haul exposes how India's northeast railway grid has become a preferred corridor for codeine-based drug smuggling.
Key Takeaways
39,345 bottles of banned Eskuf and Fairdyl Cough Syrup worth over ₹2.36 crore were seized from the Deoghar Express at Agartala Railway Station on 1 July 2025 .
The contraband was concealed inside approximately 80 sealed metal drums in the train's parcel van, booked from Katihar, Bihar on 29 June .
The operation was jointly conducted by the GRP , ANTF , Assam Rifles , and DRI .
One person, Subrata Deb (34) , manager of a firm in Khowai district , has been arrested for allegedly attempting to receive the consignment.
This is Tripura's second-largest such seizure, after a ₹5.4 crore haul at Jirania Railway Station in October 2023 .
Both syrups contain Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride , substances widely misused as narcotics in India and Bangladesh .
Tripura Police intercepted a consignment of 39,345 bottles of banned cough syrup worth over ₹2.36 crore from the parcel van of the Deoghar Express at Agartala Railway Station on 1 July 2025, in what officials have described as the second-largest such seizure in the state's history. The contraband — comprising Eskuf Cough Syrup and Fairdyl Cough Syrup — had been booked from Katihar, Bihar and was found concealed inside approximately 80 sealed metal drums.
How the Seizure Unfolded
The joint operation was carried out by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), with officials of the Assam Rifles and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) also reportedly involved. The parcel van coach had been attached to the Deoghar Express after being booked from Katihar on 29 June, and the train reached Agartala on 1 July.
During inspection, officers discovered the bottles ingeniously hidden inside sealed metal drums — indicating, according to police, a well-planned attempt to evade detection. Inspector General of Police (Intelligence and Security) Krishnendu Chakraborty and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper personally visited the station to supervise the seizure procedures.
The Substances and Their Misuse
Both Eskuf and Fairdyl cough syrups contain Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride — substances that are frequently misused as narcotic drugs across India and in neighbouring Bangladesh. The 100 ml bottles, totalling approximately 40,000 units, are classified as banned for unregulated distribution and are a known commodity in the region's illicit drug trade.
Arrest and Investigation
One person, Subrata Deb (34), has been arrested so far. Deb is reportedly the manager of a private business firm in Tripura's Khowai district and had allegedly arrived at Agartala Railway Station to take delivery of the illegal consignment. A formal letter has been sent to the Parcel Commercial Superintendent at Agartala Railway Station seeking details of the consignor, consignee, railway receipt, and train movement records to advance the investigation.
Context: A Recurring Rail Route
This seizure is the second-largest of its kind in Tripura, surpassed only by an October 2023 haul in which the Tripura Police Crime Branch (TPCB), assisted by other security agencies, seized banned Eskuf cough syrup worth approximately ₹5.4 crore from a goods train at Jirania Railway Station in West Tripura. Several persons were arrested in that case, including Rajib Dasgupta (42), identified as a principal kingpin of the trafficking network operating across multiple northeastern states.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and allied agencies have on several occasions intercepted narcotics — including ganja (marijuana) — from trains running between Tripura and other parts of the country, underscoring the increasing exploitation of the railway network by smugglers.
Police Commitment to a Drug-Free Tripura
IGP Chakraborty stated that Tripura Police, under the leadership of Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag, is 'resolutely committed to eliminating the drug menace and making the state drug-free.' IGP Ipper added that no one connected with the consignment would be spared. All necessary legal proceedings are underway, officials confirmed. The state police have consistently acted against illegal narcotics trade, including ganja trafficking, as part of a sustained anti-narcotics drive.
Point of View
Both involving the same brand names and the same Bihar-to-Tripura route, point to a supply chain that has survived at least one high-profile arrest. The real question is whether investigators are dismantling the network or merely intercepting its shipments. With Rajib Dasgupta identified as a 'principal kingpin' after last year's haul, the re-emergence of the same contraband brands suggests either a resilient operation or multiple parallel networks. Tripura's geographic position — bordering Bangladesh — also makes it a transshipment risk, not just a destination market, and that dimension deserves sharper investigative attention.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized from the Deoghar Express in Agartala?
Police seized 39,345 bottles of banned Eskuf and Fairdyl Cough Syrup worth over ₹2.36 crore from the parcel van of the Deoghar Express at Agartala Railway Station on 1 July 2025. The bottles were hidden inside approximately 80 sealed metal drums to evade detection.
Why are Eskuf and Fairdyl Cough Syrups banned for unregulated distribution?
Both syrups contain Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride, which are frequently misused as narcotic substances in India and neighbouring Bangladesh. Their unregulated sale and distribution is prohibited under Indian narcotics and drug regulations.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Agartala drug haul?
One person, Subrata Deb (34), reportedly the manager of a private business firm in Tripura's Khowai district, has been arrested. He allegedly came to Agartala Railway Station to collect the illegal consignment.
How does this seizure compare to previous drug busts in Tripura?
This is the second-largest seizure of banned cough syrup in Tripura. The largest was in October 2023, when the Tripura Police Crime Branch seized contraband Eskuf Cough Syrup worth approximately ₹5.4 crore from a goods train at Jirania Railway Station, leading to the arrest of alleged kingpin Rajib Dasgupta (42).
Which agencies were involved in the Deoghar Express drug seizure?
The operation was jointly carried out by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). Officials of the Assam Rifles and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) were also reportedly involved in the seizure.
