The officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence from Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kakinada executed a swift and well-coordinated operation resulting in seizure of 119.4 kg Alprazolam in lumpy form, valued at approximately Rs. 23.88 crore in the illicit market, along with 87.8 kg in-process material. The DRI officials also apprehended eight persons involved in illegal manufacturing and distribution of Alprazolam, including the master-mind, chemists, financiers and the buyers at the same place.

After developing a specific intelligence that a few persons were clandestinely manufacturing 'Alprazolam' — a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985 — at a facility in Atchuthapuram, Anakapalli District, Andhra Pradesh, the DRI officials meticulously planned the operation to arrest the entire set of persons involved in manufacturing and distribution of Alprazolam.

 

Additionally, 3,600 litres in liquid form and 311.6 kg in solid form of illegally procured raw materials, equipment (two reactors, one centrifuge and one drier) used for manufacturing Alprazolam and few incriminating documents were seized to aid further investigation.

    

All the eight accused persons were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. It is noteworthy that most of the arrested individuals have prior involvement in cases related to the clandestine manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and other criminal activities (murder, cyber-crimes and economic offences).

Initial interrogation revealed that these individuals conspired to undertake this illegal activity, having formed their network during their time in jail, underscoring the deep-rooted and organized nature of the syndicate. The said Alprazolam was intended for transport to Telangana for adulterating Toddy.

Further investigation in the case is in progress.

Seizure of psychotropic substance leads to dismantling of clandestine manufacturing network, arrests and ongoing probe. Enforcement under the NDPS Act disrupted a clandestine Alprazolam manufacturing facility in Atchuthapuram, yielding seizures of finished psychotropic material, in process precursors, large volumes of illicit raw materials, manufacturing equipment and documents. Eight persons, including alleged masterminds, chemists and financiers, were arrested and remanded; initial interrogation indicates an organized conspiracy formed during detention to manufacture and transport the substance for adulteration and distribution. Further forensic examination and investigation are ongoing to support prosecution under the NDPS framework.