Armed drug smuggler gang loots Rs 15 lakh worth Phensedyl in broad daylight at Charilam market; several injured

In a sensational daylight incident, armed miscreants looted a large consignment of contraband cough syrup Phensedyl worth nearly Rs 15 lakh at Charilam market under Sepahijala district on Tuesday, leaving several people injured and triggering panic in the area.

Sources said that a passenger vehicle bearing registration number TR-01-D-3844 was transporting the contraband from Sonamura when members of one ‘Bhuttu gang’ from Bishalgarh allegedly attempted to intercept it. The gang reportedly blocked the Bishalgarh bypass by placing two vehicles in the middle of the road in an attempt to stop the Phensedyl-laden vehicle.

However, the targeted vehicle rammed into multiple vehicles and tried to flee the spot. The gang chased it from behind and eventually intercepted it at Charilam market. The miscreants allegedly looted almost the entire consignment of Phensedyl and attacked the driver with sharp weapons, leaving him severely injured.

The presence of firearms and other deadly weapons in the hands of the attackers created widespread panic among local traders, who scrambled to flee for safety. Within moments, tension gripped the entire Charilam market area.

 After receiving information, Additional Superintendent of Police of Sepahijala district, Rajib Sutradhar, along with a large police force from Bishalgarh police station rushed to the spot. By the time police arrived, the miscreants had already completed the robbery and fled from the spot.

Local residents managed to apprehend one of the alleged robbers, identified as Sumit Saha of Jangalia area of Bishalgarh, while the others escaped. Police later took the detained accused and the seized vehicle to the police station.

Meanwhile, during the high-speed chase on the Bishalgarh bypass, an e-rickshaw) driver and his co-driver were seriously injured after being hit by the fleeing vehicle. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital.

The incident has also raised serious questions, as the Phensedyl-laden vehicle reportedly passed through the Bishalgarh bypass in broad daylight despite the presence of traffic police and personnel from Bishalgarh police station, who allegedly did not attempt to intercept it.