DRI busts Alprazolam factory in Andhra Pradesh under Operation White Hammer
Hyderabad: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted an illegal Alprazolam factory in Andhra Pradesh during an operation named “Operation White Hammer” and seized drugs and chemicals worth crores.
Officials carried out the intelligence-based operation on March 11 and 12 at the Kondapalli Industrial Development Area in NTR district. The facility had operated under the cover of a chemical manufacturing unit.
During searches, officers seized 237 kg of Alprazolam with an estimated market value of ₹47 crore. They also recovered more than 800 kg of key raw materials and 2,860 litres of various chemicals.
Investigators also found industrial equipment including reactors, driers and a centrifuge. According to officials, the setup confirmed the existence of a large-scale clandestine Alprazolam factory.
Preliminary investigation showed that a chemist with over 20 years of experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector had orchestrated the operation. Authorities said he worked with an associate who handled procurement of raw materials and distribution in Hyderabad.
Alprazolam factory linked to organised drug network
Officials said the accused had rented the factory premises to secretly manufacture Alprazolam. They allegedly used the industrial facility to run the illegal Alprazolam factory while posing as a legitimate chemical unit.
Both masterminds behind the operation have been arrested under provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Authorities said further investigation was under way to identify additional links in the supply chain.
The DRI said the case formed part of its broader crackdown on synthetic drug manufacturing in the country. During the current financial year, the agency has dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units through intelligence-based operations.
Officials added that such actions supported the government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan campaign. The initiative aims to curb narcotic and psychotropic substance abuse and protect society from drug trafficking networks.
