Suvendu praises Purulia drug haul, calls for sustained action against narcotics
Times of India | 29 July 2026
Kolkata: CM Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday praised Kolkata Police, Special Task Force and Purulia Police after a joint operation foiled an alleged cannabis smuggling attempt, leading to the seizure of 322 kg of cannabis late on Monday. Seven persons were arrested in the case.
Adhikari also shared on X a video of the operation that took place on NH-18 near Belkuri under Purulia Mufassal PS.
“West Bengal govt maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drug trafficking and any unlawful activities that threaten the safety and well-being of our youth and society. I appreciate our police personnel for their relentless vigilance and dedication. We will continue to root out criminal networks with an iron fist,” the CM posted.
Purulia SP Kumar Sunny Raj said three of the seven arrested are from Bihar, one is from Odisha and the remaining three from Bengal.
Investigators said the truck carrying the contraband was flanked by two escort vehicles travelling ahead of and behind it. Police found specially fabricated concealed compartments beneath the truck’s cargo bed, where the packets of cannabis were hidden. Both methods were reminiscent of those portrayed in a recent south Indian blockbuster, an officer said.
Later, while attending a programme at Bhavani Bhawan in Kolkata, Adhikari again hailed police for the operation and stressed the need for sustained action against narcotics.
“In a manner straight out of a film, police intercepted a truck loaded with cannabis. Drugs such as cannabis, charas, heroin and Phensedyl are destroying the entire social fabric. Police must come forward to solve this problem and create public awareness,” he said.
Kolkata Police also seized 104 grams of cocaine worth over ₹10 lakh and arrested three traffickers during a raid in Karaya. Investigators revealed that the accused were part of a syndicate procuring foreign narcotics via the dark web. Police are interrogating the suspects to trace higher-level agents and investigate potential airport security lapses.