The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) achieved a significant breakthrough on Thursday, foiling a unique attempt to smuggle banned narcotics in the Chamta-Beparipara area under Tufanganj police station in Cooch Behar district.

Acting on confidential information, the STF team from Siliguri intercepted a consignment of Yaba tablets, valued at approximately Rs 20 lakh, which had been ingeniously concealed inside a traditional drum or a dholak.

Yaba is an illegal synthetic drug containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine.

The operation, conducted on the afternoon of May 15, led to the arrest of three individuals identified as Jahirul Haque Akanda (32) of Tufanganj, Abu Bakkar Chhiddik Miya (50) of Sitai, and Babuuddin Miya (45) of Kotwali, all residents of the Cooch Behar district.

When interrogated, the arrested individuals allegedly confessed to transporting a substantial quantity of Yaba tablets within the musical instrument. Subsequent search operations led to the seizure of 1.294 kg of the banned drug along with the drum.

Sources within the STF said that the Yaba tablets had been smuggled into north Bengal from another state.

A case has been registered at the Tufanganj police station under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Authorities are currently investigating the origin of the drugs and the extent of the smuggling network involved.