DRI's major action in Andhra; Alprazolam drugs worth Rs 24 crore recovered, eight arrested

DRI officials raided an illicit manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh and seized 119.4 kg Alprazolam drug. The estimated price of the seized drug in the international market is said to be around Rs 24 crore. According to the official statement, eight people have been arrested in this action. This includes masterminds, chemists, financiers and buyers.

Alprazolam is a psychotropic drug that is also used as a drug of abuse. The raids were led by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence from Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Kakinada.

In addition to this, 87.8 kg of in-process material was also seized. For facilitation of further investigation, 3,600 liters of illegally sourced raw material in liquid state and 311.6 kg in solid state, machinery utilized in the production of Alprazolam (two reactors, one centrifuge, and one dryer), and certain incriminating documents were confiscated.

Further investigation revealed that most of the arrested persons were already involved in cases related to clandestine manufacturing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and other criminal activities. Interrogation revealed that these persons had hatched a conspiracy and created their network to carry out this illegal activity while they were in jail. The statement further said that Alprazolam was to be transported to Telangana for adulteration in toddy.