Agartala, June 18, 2025: In a major breakthrough against smuggling activities, police in Kailashahar seized illegal bidis worth approximately Rs 16 lakh on Wednesday afternoon during a routine check at the Chini Bagan Naka point along the Kailashahar-Dharmanagar road.

According to police officials, the seizure was made when a Bolero vehicle bearing registration number TR02L-1590 was intercepted during regular checks and found to be moving suspiciously. Upon inspection, 34 large packets of bidis were recovered from inside the vehicle, cleverly concealed under four sacks of potatoes stacked on top of the cargo to avoid detection.

The vehicle, which was reportedly en route from Dharmanagar to Babur Bazar in Kailashahar, was immediately seized and taken to Kailashahar Police Station. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Gias Uddin, son of Roop Ali and a resident of Purba Yajekhaora village, was arrested on the spot.

Speaking to reporters, Officer-in-Charge of Kailashahar Police Station, Sukanta Sen Chowdhury, said, “A routine check-up was being conducted at the Sugar Garden Naka point. One vehicle appeared suspicious and was stopped. Thanks to the alertness and prompt action of our officers, a major consignment of illegal bidis was recovered before it could be smuggled. We suspect a larger smuggling network and have launched an investigation.”

He further added that surveillance would be intensified in the region to curb such illegal activities.

“We are determined to crack down on all forms of smuggling. Our vigilance will be tighter in the coming days,” Chowdhury said.

Sources within the department confirmed that a special investigation team has been tasked with probing deeper into the case, with efforts underway to identify others linked to the smuggling operation.