In a major development in Tripura’s fight against narcotics trafficking, investigating agencies have filed a chargesheet against seven accused in connection with the high-profile Phensedyl smuggling case linked to Jirania Railway Station. The accused have been charged under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act following an extensive investigation into what is considered one of the largest drug seizures in the state in recent years.
The case had triggered widespread attention across Tripura in October last year when law enforcement agencies recovered nearly 1,07,800 bottles of Phensedyl cough syrup during a major anti-narcotics operation. The seized contraband, estimated to have an international market value of around Rs 2 crore, exposed the scale of an alleged interstate and cross-border smuggling network operating through the state.
Investigators believe the seized consignment was part of a broader trafficking operation using Tripura as a key transit corridor for transporting narcotics and prohibited substances. The massive seizure had raised concerns over the increasing use of railway routes for illegal trafficking activities.
Among those arrested in the case are Rajib Dasgupta, transport businessman Arun Kumar Ghosh, and several other accused reportedly hailing from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities confirmed that all of them remain in judicial custody as legal proceedings continue.
However, despite the filing of the chargesheet, the investigation remains incomplete in certain aspects as the alleged mastermind of the operation, Apurba Ranjan Das, continues to evade arrest. Investigators suspect that he may have escaped to neighboring Bangladesh to avoid detention.
The alleged kingpin’s reported connections with political figures have also sparked controversy, leading to questions and demands for clarification from various political quarters.
Officials have admitted that despite repeated crackdowns and major seizures, drug trafficking routes through Tripura remain active. Agartala Railway Station has also witnessed several narcotics-related seizures in recent months, indicating that smuggling operations continue despite enforcement efforts.
Authorities believe the network could be part of a larger syndicate involving interstate operators and international traffickers. While the filing of the chargesheet marks an important step toward dismantling the racket, the escape of the alleged mastermind continues to raise serious concerns among investigators and the public alike.
