In a major breakthrough, North Tripura Police seized a large consignment of illegal Burmese cigarettes during a checking operation at the Panisagar Naka point under Panisagar Police Station.

Acting on confidential intelligence inputs from SBI sources, police intercepted a six-wheeler truck bearing registration number WB-89-3093. The vehicle was reportedly carrying contraband hidden beneath cartons labeled as cold drinks. During a detailed search, officers recovered a substantial stock of Burmese cigarettes packed in around 40 cartons from two different companies. The estimated black-market value of the seized goods is around Rs 40 lakh.

Two individuals traveling in the vehicle were arrested on the spot. The driver has been identified as Bijoy Mog (38) of South Laljuri, Ambassa in Dhalai district, Tripura, while the co-driver is Juel Mia (25) from Kumarghat Industrial Area in Unakoti district, Tripura.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the consignment had been loaded from Bhanga, Assam, and was intended to be delivered to Agartala. Authorities believe the seizure is part of a larger smuggling network, and further investigation is underway to identify others involved.

The operation comes shortly after an administrative reshuffle in the North Tripura police force on May 23, 2026, when 17 personnel, including inspectors and other ranks, were transferred. Since the changes, Panisagar Police have intensified enforcement actions, leading to notable success in anti-smuggling operations in the region.