Agartala: The High Court of Tripura while hearing a bail petition of an accused involved in drug smuggling on Saturday sought detailed report from the police on storage of seizure of contraband addictive substances including cannabis, which raised an eye-brow over the drive of BJP-IPFT government against illicit drug trafficking and abuse of addictive substances.
When Chief Minister Biplab Deb assumed office, he launched a crusade against illegal drug business in the state. According to police record, about a lakh of cannabis along with heroin, brown sugar, phensedly, tablets and other addictive substances were seized from illegal stores and unauthorized possession in last 10 months.
As many as 660 people were arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 in connection with 450 cases of illegal drug dealing during the period. However, the court observed that out of the total accused and arrested persons, 453 were released on bail that attracted the attention of the court.
The Chief Justice of Tripura High Court Sanjoy Karol asked Director General of Police A K Shukla to furnish all the details of narcotics related cases by January 29 next. There is no no record published in media over the last 10 months where those items were stored or destroyed, which created confusion over the role of police in the mission. (UNI)