In a successful operation, the Agartala city police on Saturday seized large quantities of dry Cannabis (Ganja) worth Rs. 70 lakh from a 12-wheelers lorry at ISBT, Chandrapur and arrested the accused truck driver.

Giving details, SP(West Tripura), Kiran Kumar said based on secret information, a joint contingent of police personnel of East Agartala police station and College Tilla town outpost (TOP) raided at Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Chandrapur area of the city and detained a suspected 12-wheelers ready before it move towards Meghalaya state.

During a search in the truck, police found a false chamber inside the truck and brought it to College Tilla TOP. Later, police with the help of mechanics, opened the false chamber of the truck and recovered a total of 45 packets of dry Ganja with a total weight of 355 kilograms.

SP said that they have arrested the accused driver, Mithun Karmakar of Ramnagar area of the city and based on preliminary interrogation, the accused driver revealed that he was supposed to deliver this big consignment of narcotic items to Meghalaya state.

SP added that they have registered a specific case under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and started investigation to find out the source of the narcotic item and has also launched an operation to arrest drug smugglers involved with Ganja smuggling.

While, arrested truck driver will be produced before a local court on Sunday with police remand appeals for further interrogation.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha through his social media appreciated the successful operation of Tripura police and said that “As part of #Neshamukt Tripura initiative, West Tripura district police seized 355 kilograms ganja worth approx Rs. 70 lakh from a Lorry at Chandrapur area today. The Tripura police's role towards the government's vision of building Drugs-free Tripura is commendable.”