Agartala, June 18, 2025: In a sweeping anti-narcotics drive, Tripura Police have detained nearly 80 individuals across the state suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and abuse. The operation, described as one of the most intensive in recent times, has also uncovered a troubling public health dimension—multiple detainees have tested HIV-positive, sparking fresh concerns over injectable drug use in the state.
According to senior officials, the arrests were made over the past week in targeted raids across Agartala, Dharmanagar, and Udaipur. Acting on surveillance and intelligence inputs, police seized large quantities of heroin, brown sugar, banned pharmaceutical drugs, syringes, and cash believed to be proceeds from narcotics sales.
“Several of those apprehended were found carrying injectable drugs and were immediately subjected to medical screening. A significant number tested positive for HIV, raising serious health concerns,” said a member of the police’s medical team.
The Tripura government has responded swiftly by arranging medical care and psychological counselling for those affected. The Health Department has also partnered with NGOs to roll out antiretroviral therapy (ART), awareness campaigns, and regular follow-up interventions.
“This is not just a law and order issue—it’s a public health emergency. We are treating it as such,” said a senior official from the Health Department.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha praised the coordinated action and emphasized the importance of a dual strategy: strict law enforcement alongside rehabilitation. “Our goal is a drug-free Tripura, but it must include efforts to support and reintegrate those battling addiction,” the Chief Minister said during a press briefing in Agartala.
The crackdown was jointly led by the Tripura Police and the State Narcotics Bureau, focusing on regions long identified as vulnerable to drug trafficking. Several repeat offenders were among those arrested, with police saying some were caught red-handed with narcotics in their possession.
“This is part of our zero-tolerance approach towards narcotics. We are not just targeting street-level peddlers but also working to dismantle larger interstate and international drug networks,” said the Superintendent of Police, West Tripura.
Public health experts are now urging authorities to step up routine HIV screening at detention centres and expand outreach programs in educational institutions and vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Tripura’s situation mirrors a wider crisis across Northeast India. According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), injectable drug use accounts for nearly 6% of HIV infections in the region, with states like Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland already grappling with similar issues.
In response, Tripura Police have intensified coordination with civil society groups such as the Tripura AIDS Control Society (TACS) and rehabilitation-focused NGOs. Family counselling, awareness drives, and community reporting mechanisms have also been activated.
Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious drug-related activity through dedicated police helplines or the state’s anonymous tip portals. Families affected by substance abuse are being encouraged to seek timely medical assistance and rehabilitation support.
