In a significant operation against illegal narcotics trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 55,626 bottles (100 ml each) of codeine-based E-SKuf and Fairdyl cough syrup worth an estimated Rs 6.54 crore from a railway parcel van at Agartala Railway Station. One person has been arrested in connection with the case.
According to officials, the parcel van (VPH No. NR 094527) had been booked from Katihar to Agartala as a consignment of general goods under PW Bill No. 198284 dated June 25, 2026. The van reached Agartala Railway Station on June 30 and was subsequently placed on Line No. 13 for unloading.
Acting on specific intelligence developed by the DRI's Agartala Regional Unit, a joint inspection was carried out on July 1 by officials from the DRI, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), Assam Rifles, and railway authorities.
During the operation, officials found that the parcel van was carrying general goods along with 89 iron drums. A detailed examination revealed that 80 of the drums contained white-coloured powder used to conceal 55,626 bottles of codeine-based E-SKuf and Fairdyl cough syrup. The remaining nine drums were found to contain only the white powder.
The search, counting, and seizure operation continued overnight and concluded at around 7 a.m. on July 2.
Following the seizure, the DRI arrested 34-year-old Subrata Deb, manager of B.K. Enterprise in Agartala, who had allegedly arrived at the railway station to receive the consignment. He is a resident of Bathakha village under Kalyanpur Police Station in Tripura's Khowai district.
Officials said the parcel records identified the consignor as Chandan Verman, who had booked the consignment from Katihar in the name of an Agartala-based recipient.
The seized cough syrup has an estimated illicit market value of Rs 6,54,43,989. The DRI's Agartala Regional Unit has registered a case under the relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway to identify and dismantle the network involved in the trafficking o the contraband.
