Tripura, October 5: Tension gripped the Assam–Tripura border after a truck loaded with narcotic cough syrup was seized at the Churaibari Watch Post in Assam’s Hailakandi district. The truck, intercepted late Friday night, was officially shown as seized only on Sunday morning sparking widespread questions over the two-night delay and raising suspicions of foul play.
According to sources, around 11:45 p.m. on Friday, a twelve-wheeler truck bearing registration number WB-23-D-7176, en route from West Bengal to Tripura, was stopped by Assam Police at the Churaibari Watch Post. Initially, the driver claimed that the truck was carrying bitumen. However, upon a thorough inspection, police discovered a large stock of narcotic cough syrup “ESKUF” hidden behind drums.
Assam Police later confirmed that 21,600 bottles of the syrup were recovered from 144 cartons, each containing 150 bottles. The estimated market value of the seized consignment is around ₹1.08 crore. The driver, identified as Syed Afridi, a resident of West Bengal, was taken into custody. During interrogation, he stated that he was paid ₹12,000 to transport the goods from Malda, West Bengal, and claimed ignorance about the real owner of the consignment.
However, the incident took a suspicious turn. A reliable police source revealed that although the truck was seized on Friday night, the official search and seizure report was not made until Sunday morning raising doubts about what transpired during that period. Allegations have surfaced that a significant portion of the cough syrup consignment mysteriously disappeared from the truck during the delay.
Sources further claimed that two AS-numbered WagonR cars were seen loitering suspiciously around the Assam–Tripura border on Friday night. It is suspected that during those two nights, a major portion of the contraband was removed before the remaining stock was officially shown during the Sunday seizure.
This has prompted sharp questions if protectors themselves turn perpetrators, how will the drug menace be stopped?
Reportedly, the incident has triggered internal tension within the Assam Police department.
Meanwhile, Assam Police have filed a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and initiated an investigation. Local residents and social organizations are demanding a transparent probe into the entire incident to ensure that the truth comes to light and those responsible face strict punishment.
Driver’s Statement: “I came from Kolkata… actually from Malda. Yes, my driver’s salary is ₹12,000. I don’t know anything more. Only the owner or the transport people who loaded the goods can tell. My name is Syed Afridi. Amirul Islam. Our police station is Kaliachak. My village is Lalutola, but now I stay at Naya Chatramile.”
