Tripura Police uncovered a stash of ivory tusks worth crores during a raid originally targeting narcotics in Kailashahar of Unakoti district.

The discovery has sparked renewed concerns over cross-border wildlife smuggling networks operating in the region.

Acting on a tip-off, officers from Irani Police Station raided the residence of one Mayub Ali in Sonamura village under Yazikhawra Gram Panchayat on Saturday evening. While the operation was launched to intercept narcotics, the police instead stumbled upon three elephant tusks hidden on the premises.

Forest authorities were promptly alerted, and the seized tusks were transferred to the Kailashahar Forest office for further investigation. Range Officer Shubhankar Biswas confirmed that the ivory will be sent for forensic analysis to verify its origin and age.

However, the prime suspect, Mayub Ali—son of Moharram Ali—fled the scene moments before police arrived and remains on the run. A joint search operation by the police and forest department is currently underway to apprehend him.

“This is the first major ivory seizure in nearly a decade from this belt,” an official said. “It highlights the urgent need for increased vigilance along the international border.”