In a significant action against narcotics smuggling and money laundering in Tripura, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Agartala Sub-Zonal Office, has filed three Prosecution Complaints (PCs) under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The complaints, filed before the Special Court (PMLA), West Tripura, target 14 accused individuals.

The ED has, in these cases, frozen, seized, or provisionally attached movable and immovable assets valued at around Rs 6.85 crore, identified as proceeds of crime. All cases originate from scheduled offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), involving systematic drug trafficking and subsequent laundering of illicit proceeds.

The first case arose from an FIR lodged at Jirania Police Station, West Tripura against Litan Saha and others under Sections 21(c)/29 of the NDPS Act. Following a chargesheet filed by Tripura Police (No. 17/2024, dated 31.05.2024) before the Special Court, Sonamura, ED’s PMLA investigation revealed that Saha trafficked codeine-based cough syrups (Eskuf), including 9,590 bottles seized by police. He allegedly used his logistics firm, M/s Swastik Roadways, to transport the contraband and laundered the proceeds through multiple bank accounts under the pretext of a legitimate transport business.

The second case stemmed from FIRs filed in connection with the seizure of 1,352 kg of dry Ganja in Panisagar, North Tripura, and 14,400 bottles of Phensedyl Cough Linctus in Khowai district. Charges were filed before the Special Courts at Dharmanagar and Khowai. ED’s investigation showed that Debabrata Dey and Apu Ranjan Das operated a well-organized inter-state drug trafficking network, transporting Ganja and psychotropic substances from Tripura to Bihar and other states. Their associate, Dhruba Majumder, a serving police officer, was also implicated for investing illicit gains in immovable properties under his wife’s name. Several properties acquired through these criminal activities have been attached by the ED.

The third case is based on multiple FIRs filed between 2020 and 2025, concerning large-scale cannabis seizures across Tripura. The FIRs were lodged against Bishu Kumar Tripura, with charges filed before the Special Court (NDPS), Bishalgarh, Sepahijala. Investigations revealed him as the prime accused and organizer of an inter-state Ganja trafficking network operating since 2015, along with Kamini Debbarma. Both admitted to trafficking drugs and laundering proceeds through multiple bank accounts, mule accounts, hawala/hundi channels, investments in a brick industry, and acquiring immovable properties. Additionally, Bikash Debbarma admitted to using his bank accounts to channel illicit funds as a mule account holder.

The ED’s action highlights its ongoing crackdown on organized drug trafficking and money laundering operations in Tripura, targeting not only the supply chain but also the financial networks sustaining such criminal enterprises.