Police destroyed banned cough syrup bottles seized from Jirania Railway station

The High-Level Drug Disposal Committee and the State-Level Drug Disposal Committee, headed by the Tripura Police, on Wednesday destroyed a massive cache of seized drugs worth Rs 2.12 crore at the designated drug disposal site in Budhjungnagar.

Providing details, IGP (Crime) Avula Ramesh Reddy said the committee destroyed a total of 1,07,800 bottles of banned cough syrup (Ex-Cough) following court orders. The seized items were destroyed at a pre-notified location in accordance with prescribed procedures.

He said that on October 17, 2025, Tripura Police seized the banned cough syrup from railway wagons at Jirania Railway Station. In connection with the seizure, five accused have so far been arrested and are currently in judicial custody.

Based on the police report, the court directed the destruction of the seized drugs. Acting on the order, the committee headed by the IGP (Crime) carried out the destruction of the contraband worth Rs 2.12 crore on Wednesday, Reddy added.

The IGP stated that the seized drugs were destroyed in strict compliance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, adding that such disposal is a routine process. He further informed that similar destruction programmes will be organised in the coming months as well.

Appealing to the public, Reddy urged people to stay away from illegal drug trading networks, noting that the Anti-Narcotic Task Force is working round the clock to dismantle drug smuggling operations. He said that, as per the direction of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, the Tripura Police has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug smuggling and warned that no one involved would be spared.

The IGP also said that anti-narcotic investigation teams are working to attach the illegal properties of drug smugglers. Irrespective of political affiliation or official position, anyone found involved in drug smuggling will face strict action, he asserted.

Police sources added that further destruction of seized narcotic items is scheduled to be carried out in February at Budhjungnagar under the jurisdiction of the State-Level Drug Disposal Committee.