Siliguri, 02nd June: In a major action linked to a cross-border drug trafficking case, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Siliguri Zonal Unit has arrested Trinamool Congress leader Tofazzal Mian alias Nadda in connection with the smuggling of codeine-based cough syrup allegedly destined for Bangladesh.
The accused was produced before the Cooch Behar court and taken on a five-day remand. He has now been brought to Siliguri for further interrogation.
Notably, on May 20, 2026, the NCB Siliguri Zonal Unit had launched a special operation based on intelligence inputs in the Sitai Police Station area of Cooch Behar district, where 7,896 bottles of banned codeine-based cough syrup were seized. Two individuals, Ranjit Biswas and Rahim Badshah, were arrested in that operation.
According to NCB sources, during interrogation of the two arrested accused, Tofazzal Mian’s name surfaced as a key link in the smuggling network. Following this, the agency intensified its investigation into his role.
Probe also suggested that he was allegedly in contact with a Bangladesh-based trafficking network involved in cross-border smuggling of cough syrup.
Sources further stated that Tofazzal Mian is known locally as a TMC leader in Chamta Gram Panchayat under Sitai and has also identified himself as a panchayat member during questioning.
NCB officials claim the seized consignment of 7,896 bottles was linked to him and was allegedly intended for smuggling into Bangladesh before it was intercepted.
Investigators also found that he had previously been arrested twice under the NDPS Act in similar cough syrup smuggling cases. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the network.