Churaibari, June 10: In a major anti-drug operation, police at the Churaibari check post in Assam’s Karimganj district seized a huge consignment of banned cough syrup concealed beneath sacks of potatoes in a truck bound for Tripura. The estimated black-market value of the seized contraband is around ₹50 lakh.
According to police sources, the operation was conducted around noon on Wednesday at the Churaibari check gate under the Bazaricherra Police Station. During a routine inspection, police personnel stopped a 12-wheeler truck bearing registration number PB08CX-5608.
Although the vehicle appeared to be carrying only potato sacks, the police continued a thorough search. Upon removing the sacks, officers discovered cartons containing banned cough syrup hidden underneath.
A total of 92 cartons were recovered from the truck, containing 14,100 bottles of prohibited Eskuf cough syrup. Police estimate the seized consignment to be worth approximately ₹50 lakh in the illegal drug market.
The truck driver, identified as Yogesh Kumar, a resident of Punjab, was arrested on the spot. During preliminary questioning, he told police that he was transporting potatoes from Siliguri to Agartala.
Police have seized the entire consignment and launched an investigation to determine the source of the banned cough syrup and its intended destination in Tripura. Authorities are also probing whether a larger drug trafficking network is involved in the smuggling operation.
The investigation is being led by Churaibari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Niranjan Das. A case has been registered against the accused under the provisions of the NDPS Act, and further interrogation is underway.
