Agartala, Jan 11: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a series of operations across Tripura, targeting alleged drug kingpins and their inter-state trafficking network.

The raids, conducted on January 10, resulted in the seizure of 66 kg of premium-quality marijuana, along with crucial evidence tied to money laundering activities.

The operation focused on dismantling drug cartels trafficking substances such as marijuana and the codeine-based cough syrup Phensedyl.

This is part of an ongoing investigation linked to multiple FIRs filed by the Tripura Police against individuals, including Kamini Debbarma, Bishu Tripura, and Arup Ranjan Das, who are accused of orchestrating large-scale drug trafficking operations.

According to an official ED statement, the accused operated a sophisticated inter-state network facilitating drug smuggling across Tripura, Assam, Bihar, and other regions of India. The profits generated from these illegal activities were funneled through hawala channels and benami accounts before being invested in assets like fixed deposits, bank balances, and properties registered under family members and proxies.

The recent seizures include financial documents, property details, and electronic devices that suggest the accumulation of substantial illicit wealth.

The ED in its official X handle mentioned, "ED, Agartala has conducted coordinated search operations across multiple locations in Tripura on 10.01.2025, under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002, targeting inter-state drug cartels involved in the trafficking of narcotic substances, including Ganja and Phensidyl. During the search operations, substantial amount (around 66 kgs) of high quality Ganja (marijuana) along with other incriminating evidence, including financial records, details of benami properties, and electronic devices were recovered and  seized."