Tripura Police Crime Branch (TPCB) has arrested two key kingpins in connection with the seizure of drugs worth Rs 5.4 crore from a goods train arriving from Delhi. The arrests were announced on Monday.
The suspects, Arun Kumar Ghosh (58) from Kolkata and Himanshu Jha alias Sonu (32) from Delhi, were apprehended following the recovery of 1,07,800 bottles of banned Eskuf cough syrup at Jirania railway station on October 17. The syrup contains Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride, substances often misused as narcotics in India, Bangladesh, and neighboring countries.
Both accused are scheduled to be brought to Agartala for court proceedings, with transit legal formalities currently underway. With these arrests, all three major traders linked to the massive drug haul—including the earlier arrest of Rajib Dasgupta (42) on October 30—have now been apprehended.
The seizure was part of an intelligence-led joint operation conducted by Tripura Police, Assam Rifles, Government Railway Police (GRP), Special Task Force (STF), and the Customs Department. The goods train, which carried chicken feed, rice, and other items, arrived at Jirania from Delhi on October 16. Police found the concealed consignment unclaimed in two wagons, hidden alongside legitimate cargo.
Authorities suspect the banned Eskuf cough syrup was intended for smuggling into Bangladesh. The estimated street value of the drugs is approximately Rs 5.4 crore. The seized items have been handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and legal action.
