In a joint operation by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF), two pantry-car workers were arrested on November 17 at Agartala Railway Station for attempting to smuggle a massive haul of cannabis. The authorities seized over 298 kg of dry cannabis, valued at more than Rs 35 lakh.
A Swift Operation Uncovers a Smuggling Attempt
On the evening of November 17, the GRP received a tip-off regarding an illegal smuggling operation aboard the Deoghar Express, which departs from Agartala at 7 pm. The information suggested that some pantry-car workers were involved in transporting a large quantity of cannabis on the train.
Acting swiftly, officers from both the GRP and RPF cordoned off the railway station and launched an operation targeting Platform No. 1. During their search, they apprehended two men, Bittu Kumar (27) and Ankul Kumar (23), both from Bihar. The suspects were pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with cartons. Upon inspection, the officers discovered that the cartons contained 298 kg of cannabis packed into 24 cartons, totaling 282 packets.
Arrested Individuals and Smuggling Intentions
The two suspects, Bittu Kumar and Ankul Kumar, are pantry-car workers employed on the Deoghar Express. They were allegedly planning to transport the cannabis to Bihar, using the train’s services to facilitate the illegal transaction. Both individuals have been arrested and are facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The authorities have already initiated legal proceedings, and the arrested men are expected to be presented before the court. They will be asked for police remand, allowing further investigation into their activities. The police are also expanding their inquiry to identify any accomplices or additional participants involved in the operation.
Cannabis Smuggling: A Growing Concern
This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by Indian law enforcement to curb the illegal trade of narcotics in the region. The seizure of such a large quantity of cannabis highlights the persistence of smuggling networks attempting to exploit railway transport for illegal purposes. With the authorities ramping up vigilance at transport hubs like Agartala Railway Station, this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against the illegal drug trade in India.
The investigation into this smuggling operation is still ongoing, and authorities are hopeful that more arrests may follow. The GRP and RPF remain committed to disrupting illegal activities and ensuring that such operations are detected before they can cause harm.
