Tripura: BSF seizes marijuana worth Rs. 44 lakhs, arrests two peddlers

Bishalghar (Tripura) [India], Sept. 3 (ANI): On specific inputs, a special operation was carried out by troops of 86 battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) jointly with the police, which recovered huge quantity of marijuana hidden in a truck in Rastharmatha area of bordering Sepahijala district of Tripura today. Two persons were arrested along with the dry marijuana (locally called ganja) worth around Rs. 44 lakh. DIG BSF Ashok Kumar Yadav said, "Based on information provided by the DC G (Deputy Commandant G branch) BSF team along with the police stopped a truck and from which 35 packets of ganja has been recovered. Each packet weighs around 25 kg and all total the consignment is around 875 kg. According to government approved rate the seizure's worth is around Rs. 43 lakh 75 thousand." He added that in order to keep Tripura drugs free BSF is not only seizing dry ganja but also continuing its operation against cultivation of ganja especially in the bordering areas and in the deep forest where the present of the police and security force is less. Last year the BSF destroyed more than six lakh ganja plants in the Sepahijala district here in Tripura. The driver and assistant of the truck, bearing Haryana registration number HR-58-A-1837, have been arrested and presently are under interrogation in the Bishalghar police station. Jashbir Singh, the arrested driver said, "I had loaded it from Bishalghar and was suppose to go to Guwahati. The packets have ganja and I was aware of it but thought that shall make little money out of it. I only have the mobile number of the owner and nothing else." Meanwhile, Sepahijal district Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudipta Das expressed his concern over illegal cultivation of ganja in large unmanned area in his district and is a matter of great concern for the security forces which despite day and night vigil are unable to prevent it totally. "It is definitely a very serious problem and there is no doubt about it as it also finances other illegal activities in the area. Though there is no information regarding arms trade in Tripura which is passing through a peaceful phase but drugs trade is happening in selected areas of the forest where police and BSF presence is slightly low," he said. "Along with the BSF we shall continue our operation to destroy ganja plantation especially in the Sepahijala district where lot of ganja cultivation takes place in the bordering areas and some areas which are unfenced," he added. He informed that previous month the police had seized around 1,500 kg of dry ganja destined for smuggling across the border to Bangladesh. Smuggling of different contraband items is on the rise across the state despite security agencies making relentless efforts to curb the illegal trade. (ANI)