Agartala, 24th May 2026: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, investigative agencies have filed a chargesheet against seven accused persons in connection with the sensational Phensedyl smuggling case at Jirania Railway Station, one of the biggest narcotics seizures recorded in Tripura in recent years.
The chargesheet has been filed under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act after months of detailed investigation into the case that triggered widespread concern across the state last October. Investigators had seized nearly 1,07,800 bottles of Phensedyl cough syrup from the railway station area, with the consignment estimated to carry an international market value of around ₹2 crore.
Officials stated that the seizure exposed a large inter-state and cross-border smuggling network allegedly using Tripura as a transit corridor for narcotics trafficking. Among those named in the chargesheet are Rajiv Dasgupta, transport businessman Arun Kumar Ghosh, and several other accused from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. All the accused are presently lodged in judicial custody.
However, the alleged kingpin of the racket, Apurba Ranjan Das, continues to evade arrest. Investigators suspect that he has fled to Bangladesh to avoid prosecution. Allegations regarding his reported links with influential political figures have also fuelled controversy in political circles, prompting demands for clarification and a deeper probe.
Security agencies have admitted that despite repeated crackdowns and the seizure of huge quantities of contraband, drug smuggling routes through Tripura remain active. Incidents involving narcotics recovery continue to surface frequently, including at Agartala Railway Station.
Investigators believe the network is part of a broader syndicate involving inter-state traffickers working in coordination with international smuggling groups. Officials described the filing of the chargesheet as a significant step toward dismantling the network, though the continued absence of the alleged mastermind has raised serious concerns among both investigators and the public.
