Agartala, August 21, 2025: In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling, Tripura Police arrested a 58-year-old drug peddler and recovered 67.4 kilograms of dried cannabis valued at nearly ₹8 lakh from his residence in Sonamura subdivision of Sepahijala district.

The accused, identified as Taher Mia of Matinagar, Gilamura, was arrested after police raided his house and found the contraband hidden in four plastic bags. Sonamura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tapas Das said the seizure was part of ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling in the area, which shares a porous boundary with Bangladesh.

During initial questioning, Mia confessed that the consignment was intended for smuggling across the border. Police sources revealed that while the cannabis is valued at about ₹8 lakh locally, it could fetch nearly 2,000 Bangladeshi Taka per kilogram, amounting to over ₹8.04 lakh, once trafficked to Bangladesh.

A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, and police suspect more people in the area may be connected to the racket. “The accused will be produced before court tomorrow with a request for police remand,” OC Das confirmed.