DRI Busts Illegal Alprazolam Unit In Atchuthapuram, Eight Arrested
Officials of DRI from Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kakinada raided the place and arrested eight persons involved in illegal manufacturing and distribution of Alprazolam.
Visakhapatnam:DRI officials from Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh have raided an illegal drug manufacturing unit in Atchyutapuram in Anakapalli district, seized 119.4kg of Alprazolam worth Rs 23.88 crore and arrested eight persons.
The raid was conducted on Sunday following a tip off to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence that few persons were clandestinely manufacturing 'Alprazolam', a psychotropic substance listed under the NDPS Act, 1985, at a facility in Atchuthapuram.
Officials of DRI from Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kakinada raided the place and arrested eight persons involved in illegal manufacturing and distribution of Alprazolam. These included master-mind, chemists, financiers and the buyers.
A total of 119.4kg of Alprazolam in lumpy form, claimed to be valued approximately at Rs 23.88 crore in the illicit market, along with 87.8kg of in-process material, were seized.
Additionally, 3,600 litres of the stuff in liquid form and 311.6kg in solid form of the illegally procured raw materials, equipment (two reactors, one centrifuge and one drier) used for manufacturing Alprazolam and some documents were seized from the accused.
Most of the arrested persons had prior involvement in cases related to the clandestine manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and other criminal activities (murder, cyber-crimes and economic offences). Initial interrogation revealed that these individuals conspired to undertake this illegal activity and formed a network during their time in jail.
The Alprazolam was intended for transport to Telangana for adulterating toddy, officials said.
