HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 27: In a continued crackdown on smuggling and passenger-related crimes, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway has recovered narcotics and liquor worth lakhs and apprehended multiple individuals from various stations and trains in recent operations.
According to an official statement issued on Sunday, the operations were conducted as part of an intensive week-long drive carried out from July 17 to 24, 2025, at key railway locations including Agartala, Katihar, Bagdogra, Rangapara North, Lumding, and Guwahati.
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During this period, the RPF seized approximately 168.67 kilograms of ganja valued at ₹16.83 lakh and arrested two individuals in connection with the haul.
Alongside, 475 bottles of illicit liquor worth ₹1.05 lakh were recovered, leading to the arrest of five more persons.
The contraband was later handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP) at the respective stations for further legal proceedings.
In addition to anti-smuggling operations, the RPF personnel also intensified action against theft of passenger belongings.
Seven individuals were apprehended across various locations for stealing mobile phones, laptops, and cash from passengers.
The recovered items included six mobile phones, one laptop, and cash worth ₹1.19 lakh, all of which have been returned to the GRP along with the suspects for follow-up investigation and prosecution.
The official statement further highlighted a significant seizure on July 23, when the RPF team at Katihar recovered an unclaimed consignment of ganja weighing 51 kilograms during a routine inspection onboard the 20503 Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express.
The seized narcotics, estimated to be worth ₹5.10 lakh, were handed over to the GRP/Katihar for necessary action.
In another instance the following day, RPF personnel at Katihar Railway Station seized 169 bottles of liquor worth ₹71,600 during a routine check, detaining two persons involved in the illicit transport.
Similarly, theft prevention actions continued through the week, with the RPF team at Guwahati Railway Station on July 20 recovering a stolen mobile phone worth ₹15,000 and apprehending the accused.
On July 23, at Rangapara North, another individual was caught with a stolen laptop worth ₹35,000. In both cases, the stolen items and the accused were handed over to the GRP for further proceedings.
The statement revealed that since January 2025, the RPF of NF Railway has recovered a staggering 3,706.937 kilograms of ganja, valued at ₹3.67 crore, and apprehended as many as 126 drug peddlers across the zone.
Reaffirming its commitment, the NF Railway said the RPF will continue to maintain a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics smuggling and theft.
“Apart from ensuring the security of railway property and the travelling public, the RPF remains vigilant in its pursuit of a drug-free nation and extends all necessary assistance to rail users,” the official statement added.
