In a major crackdown on narcotics, West Tripura District Police seized 90,000 Yaba tablets worth about Rs 1.35 crore from an auto-rickshaw near the Amtali Bypass on the outskirts of Agartala late Thursday night.

West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak told reporters, “We had received specific information about illegal activities in the Amtali Bypass area. Acting on the input, we stepped up surveillance and launched a search operation.”

During the operation, police intercepted an auto-rickshaw near a roadside dhaba and detained its driver, identified as Subir Sutradhar. 

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of nine boxes containing the contraband.

The vehicle was reportedly travelling from Khayerpur towards Amtali when it was stopped. The accused has been arrested, and the seized narcotics have been taken into custody.

Police have launched a probe to identify and apprehend others involved in the smuggling network.