Tripura police destroy Rs 1.25 crore worth of seized banned cough syrups as crackdown intensifies

Tripura Police, along with the Crime Branch, on Wednesday destroyed banned cough syrups valued at Rs 1.25 crore that had been seized earlier this year. 

The narcotics, confiscated in July from Ambassa in Dhalai district, were disposed of in compliance with a court order under the supervision of the High-Level Drug Destruction Committee.

IG Crime Branch Avula Ramesh Reddy, IPS, who heads the committee, said the case was initially registered in Ambassa before being transferred to the Crime Branch for detailed investigation. During the probe, authorities seized more than 59,000 bottles of Eskuf, a banned cough syrup frequently misused as a narcotic substance. 

He said the destruction exercise was carried out in an open area to ensure transparency, adding that several investigations under the NDPS Act are still underway against drug smugglers in the state.

Reddy reiterated the Tripura Police’s commitment to achieving a “Nesha Mukt Tripura” and highlighted the scale of narcotics-related challenges in the region. He said the market value of the destroyed consignment stood at ₹1.25 crore.

Speaking on broader anti-drug initiatives, the IG said that under the Prayas Abhiyan, the police have been conducting a series of awareness programmes across schools, colleges and public institutions to curb drug abuse. He urged citizens to use the toll-free number 112 for emergencies and helpline 1933 or the Narcotics Control Bureau channels to share information related to drug peddling. He added that several coordinated efforts are underway with the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Tripura Health Department.

Reddy cautioned that school-going students remain particularly vulnerable to drug-related exploitation and stressed the crucial role of parents, teachers, youth leaders and government agencies in preventing addiction. He said the state’s stringent laws against drug peddling make it imperative for young people to stay away from narcotic activities.