In a major offensive against illegal drug cultivation, Tripura Police of Sonamura Police Station along with other sister security agencies destroyed nearly 2.87 lakh ganja (cannabis) plants during a joint operation in the Bathadola Gram Panchayat and Bijoy Nagar ADC Village areas under Sonamura sub-division on Wednesday.

The crackdown, based on intelligence inputs, was carried out between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM in forested areas by a team led by the Sonamura Police. 

According to Officer-in-Charge Tapas Das, the operation uncovered 11 nursery plots with approximately 2.75 lakh mature cannabis plants. Additionally, around 12,000 newly planted saplings were uprooted from an estimated eight-acre area.

Police sources pegged the total value of the destroyed contraband at approximately Rs 2.5 lakh.

The operation was jointly executed by personnel from Sonamura Police Station, 81 Battalion of the Border Security Force (Batadola, Matinagar, and Kulubari Border Outposts), the forest departments of Boxanagar and Jatrapur, the 9th and 11th Battalions of Tripura State Rifles (TSR), and other allied agencies.

Officials said surveillance has been stepped up in the region to curb illegal narcotics cultivation and to identify those involved in the trade.