Three Tripura policemen held with huge consignment of drugs

Agartala, Feb. 27 (IANS): The Tripura police on Thursday arrested three policemen, including one posted in the security entourage of a minister, on the charge of transporting a huge consignment of drugs.

North Tripura district police chief Bhanupada Chakraborty said that Constables Dilip Chakma, Narottam Chakma and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawan Sanjib Chakma were arrested for carrying Yaba tablets and other drugs, including heroin.

“Police and intelligence officials are interrogating them. All three would be suspended from service. The exact quantity and quality of drugs seized are being ascertained,” Chakraborty told IANS over phone from Dharmanagar, north Tripura district headquarters.

Chakma is a bodyguard of Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Santana Chakma, who was not available for comment.

At least 75 policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent of police, have been either arrested or suspended from service for their alleged involvement in drug peddling.

A Revenue Department official said that in the past 20 months, 722 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and 1,241 people arrested for trading in and smuggling drugs. He said that around 78,853 kg of ganja (cannabis), 7.375 kg heroin and other drugs were seized.

Yaba tablets contain a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and are misused as high-dosage drugs in India, Bangladesh and neighbouring
countries.

According to the BSF and intelligence officials, Yaba tablets and other drugs are smuggled into the north-eastern states from neighbouring Myanmar and then smuggled to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and various Indian states.