Six lakh more marijuana plants destroyed in Sepahijala, total reaches 3 million in 10 days

January 8, 2026

Tripura: Security forces have destroyed six lakh more marijuana plants in a fresh operation in Sepahijala district of Tripura. With this, nearly three million marijuana plants, worth an estimated ₹145 crore, have been destroyed in the last 10 days, officials said on Thursday.

According to a police spokesperson, in a day-long joint operation that continued until late Wednesday evening, central and state security forces destroyed nearly six lakh young marijuana plants growing on 65 plots spread over an area of ​​about 200 acres. The estimated market value of the plants destroyed in this phase is approximately ₹36 crore.

The operation was carried out in Dhanpur, Induria, Kachhakhala, and Dhanmura villages, which fall under the Sonamura, Melaghar, and Kalamchoura police station areas. Sepahijala district borders Bangladesh.

 Joint Operation by Multiple Agencies

The operation involved the Tripura Police, Tripura State Rifles, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Forest Department, and District Administration. An Assam Rifles statement said the operation reflects the coordination and vigilance among various agencies to curb illegal activities and maintain security in the region.

Previously, in two separate operations on December 30 and January 3, security forces destroyed over 2.3 million cannabis plants spread across 414 acres of hilly terrain in the same district, estimated to be worth ₹108 crore.

Police reported that during the same period, several lakh illegal cannabis plants were also destroyed in Unakoti, South Tripura, and Khowai districts. All these anti-drug operations were led by the District Superintendent of Police (SP) or Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), and several people involved in illegal cultivation were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

 Smuggling, Seizures, and Legal Action

According to officials, dried cannabis produced in Tripura is not for local consumption but is smuggled to other states, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where it fetches higher prices. Ganja consignments are often seized during transportation from trucks, small vehicles, and even passenger trains.

Some local residents, including women, claimed that they cultivate cannabis in the hilly and inaccessible terrain for their livelihood. However, police found in several cases that cannabis was being cultivated illegally on forest land and other government land. Police stated that under the NDPS Act, 1985, cultivation, possession, sale, purchase, or consumption of narcotic or psychotropic substances by any person is a felony punishable by imprisonment up to 20 years and a heavy fine.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation late Wednesday night, acting on intelligence, police seized 12,600 bottles of “Escuff” cough syrup, ₹16,000 in cash, and two mobile phones from a truck with a West Bengal registration number. The operation was carried out by a team from the Enforcement Branch and the Churaibari Sales Tax Department, led by North Tripura Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai. Two people have been arrested and a case has been registered at the Churaibari police station, located on the interstate border with southern Assam.