A major narcotics case has surfaced in Tripura after Teliamura Police arrested two individuals allegedly associated with the TIPRA Motha party, and seized 17.900 kilograms of illegal cannabis (ganja) from Trishabari Railway Station under Khowai district. Acting on confidential intelligence, a special police operation was carried out on Monday, November 17, 2025, resulting in the detention of the suspects before they could transport the narcotics to another state through Agartala railway route.
According to police sources, the accused were caught with well-packed bags of dry cannabis that carried an estimated black-market value of over ₹3 lakh. The arrested individuals have been identified as Shyamal Debbarma and Santosh Debbarma, reportedly hailing from Radhapur and Mandai areas. Both individuals were detained at the station premises while attempting to move the consignment illegally.
Police confirmed that a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and legal procedures, including interrogation and evidence documentation, are underway. Authorities believe the suspects may be part of a wider smuggling network operating through railway routes to avoid checkpoints and highway surveillance.
The incident takes a political turn as one of the accused, Santosh Debbarma, is claimed to be an active TIPRA Motha leader with known proximity to senior party figures. Reports suggest that he was politically nurtured under the patronage of a party MDC, raising questions and triggering sharp debate around political affiliations and criminal activities.
Local residents expressed concern, noting that Trishabari Railway Station has increasingly become a hotspot for illegal narcotics movement. Police assured that surveillance, patrolling, and intelligence tracking will be further strengthened to curb drug-related crime in the region.
