Hyderabad: Special teams from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Friday raided four premises in Medak and Nalgonda districts and busted units manufacturing alprazolam, which is notified under the Narcotics Act.
A DRI source said the teams seized 600 kg of material at different stages of manufacture from the four places. “Out of 600 kg of seized material, 18.55 kg was in the final stage worth more than Rs 5 crore in the market. The other material was valed at Rs 7.5 crore in the gray market,” he said.
The DRI seized equipment including two reactors, a centrifuge and a dryer worth Rs 20 lakh, which was being used to manufacture the substance.
The special teams unearthed a factory which was taken on lease in Nalgonda district. “Culprits were manufacturing the ingredients of alprazolam and sending it for processing to a shed in Narsapur of Medak district. The chemical named orthoxylene was stored at a guest house located at Isnapur near Patancheru. Another 197 Kg of intermediate material was recovered from the residence of one of a person involved in the said illegal activity,” the source said.
The DRI is questioning four persons in connection with the seizure of alprazolam and related material. Alprazolam is used to adulterate toddy and those who consume the spiked toddy are said to experience a stronger ‘kick’.
