DRI busts illegal drug factory in Andhra, seizes 237 kg Alprazolam worth Rs 47 crore; two arrested

Vijayawada: As much as 237 kg of the psychotropic drug Alprazolam, worth about Rs 47 crore, was seized from an illegal manufacturing unit in the Kondapalli Industrial Development Area.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which busted the operation, arrested two persons for their alleged involvement.

Operation White Hammer

The DRI carried out searches on March 11 and 12 as part of a special drive named ‘Operation White Hammer’, targeting illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking networks.

During the raids, officials uncovered a secretly operating drug manufacturing facility in the Kondapalli Industrial Development Area and seized large quantities of Alprazolam.

Large quantity of raw materials seized

Apart from the finished drug, officials also confiscated over 800 kg of raw materials, more than 2,800 litres of chemical solvents and industrial-scale machinery used in the manufacturing process.

Officials said the equipment and materials indicate that the unit had the capacity to produce narcotic substances on a large commercial scale.

Former chemist led the operation

Preliminary investigation revealed that a chemist with experience in the chemical sector was allegedly running the illegal drug manufacturing unit.

Another accused was responsible for arranging raw materials and managing the distribution network.

Both suspects have been arrested, and officials are continuing the investigation to identify other members of the drug network and trace the supply chain.