In a major crackdown against an alleged interstate and cross-border narcotics network, the West Bengal Police have seized ₹2.4 crore in cash, thousands of bottles of cough syrup with an estimated black-market value of ₹90 lakh and around 20 grams of gold during a coordinated operation in Malda.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Dakshin Dinajpur District Police and Malda District Police as part of an investigation into an alleged drug-smuggling network operating across state and international border areas.
Major Crackdown on Cross-Border Narcotics Syndicate in West Bengal.
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) August 3, 2026
Our Government maintains an absolute 'Zero Tolerance Policy' against drugs, crime and illegal syndicates.
West Bengal will remain steadfast in protecting its Youth and ensuring that our soil is never used by… pic.twitter.com/OEsOfAC9N4
The recent action followed the arrest of alleged smuggler Mridul Ghosh last month by the West Bengal Government. The investigation was followed by the arrest of his alleged associate Pintu Sarkar and two other co-accused persons.
The arrests and seizures are ongoing, and allegations against those arrested have yet to be tested before a court.
Police conducted a simultaneous raid at a place in Mangalbari under Malda Police Station where officers recovered large amounts of cash, cough syrup bottles and gold.
The seizure included:
Cash: ₹2.4 crore
Cough syrup: Thousands of bottles, with an estimated black-market value of ₹90 lakh. Gold: About 20 grams
The recovery is seen as a breakthrough in the investigation of the alleged network. The large amount of cash seized during the raid will be examined by investigators to see if there is any connection and to what extent drugs were smuggled in.
The recovered cough syrup is also expected to be investigated as part of the investigation. Cough syrup with controlled substances has been linked to illegal trafficking networks in some border areas, and investigators are likely to investigate the origin, supply chain, and intended destination of the seized bottles.
Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur are strategically important districts because they are located near international borders. Law enforcement agencies have recently operated against alleged smuggling networks that move drugs and pharmaceutical products.
The West Bengal government says it follows an “absolute zero-tolerance policy” against drugs, organised crime and illegal syndicates.
The state will keep its place safe for young people and prevent its territory from being used by criminal networks, it said.
As for the joint operation, the government praised the Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda district police teams for what it called a coordinated and effective action against the alleged interstate and cross-border network.
The operation also served to highlight the need for district police to collaborate in tracking criminal networks that might be operating in multiple jurisdictions.
Police are now in extensive interrogations of the accused to identify other suspects who may be connected to the network, it said.
Investigators will look for financial records, information on communications, property information and possible routes of supply as they seek to trace the network.
The police are trying to uncover the full extent of the alleged racket and identify every person believed to be involved, it said.
There are said to be more raids going on at border points as law-enforcement agencies are stepping up enforcement against suspected drug-trafficking operations.
The government issued a strong warning to criminal groups—illegal drug activity would have to be taken to the fullest extent of the law, and no leniency would be offered to those accused of threatening public safety.
The latest operation will put pressure on alleged smuggling networks operating in the region. And recovering such a large amount of cash may help investigators to understand the financial structure of the suspected operation.
But the investigation is ongoing, and more information could be revealed when the accused are questioned and the seized materials are evaluated.
The police may also probe whether the network had connections beyond West Bengal and whether the recovered materials were intended for movement across the international border.
The case will likely remain under scrutiny so long as police are looking for more and bigger suspects and the size of the alleged interstate and cross-border operation is discovered.
More recently, the joint operation with the Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda district police has resulted in the arrest of three people and recovery of cash, cough syrup and gold worth several crores.
The West Bengal government has said intensive operations will continue in border regions as part of its wider effort to combat drug trafficking, organised crime and illegal syndicates.
