Vijayawada. The Finance Ministry said on Friday that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a clandestine plant in Kondapalli Industrial Development Area in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district, which was producing Alprazolam. It is a psychotropic substance, which is controlled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The Finance Ministry said that during the raid, 237 kg of Alprazolam was seized, which has an estimated market value of around Rs 47 crore. This intelligence based operation was code named “Operation White Hammer”. The operation revealed a fully functioning industrial setup, which was allegedly producing Alprazolam and was hidden under the guise of a chemical manufacturing unit. The ministry also said authorities seized over 800 kg of key raw materials, 2,860 liters of various chemicals and industrial equipment such as reactors, dryers and centrifuges, indicating the presence of an organized and large-scale clandestine drug manufacturing plant. Preliminary investigation revealed that the operation was allegedly run by a chemist with over 20 years of experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. The person was working closely with an associate in Hyderabad who was providing raw materials and handling the distribution network.
According to officials, the accused had rented factory premises for illegal Alprazolam production. Both the alleged masterminds have been arrested and further investigation is underway. Officials said that during the current financial year, DRI dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units through intelligence-based operations, which reflects the government’s Drug Free India campaign and our commitment to keep the society and people safe from the menace of narcotic and psychotropic substances. Earlier in February, Assam Rifles and DRI in a joint operation had seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 45 crore and arrested a drug peddler in Tripura.
