Tripura Crime Branch Files Charges in Major Phensedyl Smuggling Case

Agartala: The Tripura Police Crime Branch has filed a formal charge sheet against six individuals involved in a large-scale smuggling operation. This legal action follows the seizure of more than 107,000 bottles of Phensedyl, a codeine-based cough syrup, which was discovered last year on an express train at the Jirania railway station.

Authorities valued the illegal consignment at nearly Rs 2 crore. The case, which drew significant political attention throughout the state, was initially investigated by the Government Railway Police and the Special Task Force before moving to the Crime Branch for an expanded inquiry.

Investigators have arrested five of the suspects, identified as Rajib Dasgupta, Arun Kumar Ghosh, Himangshu Bai, Sourav Tyagi, and Deep Prakash Gupta. A sixth individual, Apurba Ranjan Das, is identified as the suspected mastermind of the operation and remains at large. Police have requested a custodial trial to ensure the accused do not interfere with judicial proceedings.

Phensedyl contains codeine, which is widely banned due to its addictive potential and history of abuse. While originally intended to treat cold and allergy symptoms, the syrup has become a frequent target for traffickers in the region.