CHURAIBARI: In a major crackdown on drug smuggling, police at the Churaibari watch post in Assam intercepted a truck carrying a huge consignment of Escof cough syrup being smuggled into Agartala, concealed behind a consignment of eggs.
According to sources, the truck was stopped for routine checking at the inter-state watch post, where officials, acting on suspicion, discovered cartons of the codeine-based cough syrup hidden beneath the layer of eggs loaded onto the vehicle. The black-market value of the seized consignment is reportedly estimated at around ₹32 crore.
The truck driver was taken into custody following the discovery, and the vehicle along with the entire consignment has been seized. Police said a case has been registered under relevant provisions of law governing the sale and transport of controlled pharmaceutical substances.
Officials said the syrup was allegedly being routed through Assam into Tripura to feed the black market, with investigators now working to trace the supply chain and identify those behind the smuggling operation.
Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the consignment and whether more individuals are involved in the racket.
Authorities said such interceptions reflect intensified vigilance at inter-state check posts against the smuggling of banned and controlled substances.