Bengaluru (Karnataka): The Bengaluru Zone and Hyderabad sub-division of Narcotics Control Bureau busted a unit which manufactured Alprazolam, a psychotropic drug. The NCB seized 91 kgs of Alprazolam drug and Rs 62 lakhs cash. Five people have been arrested in this regard. The NCB Bangalore was keeping a strict vigil on an Alprazolam manufacturing and trafficking network spanning across Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the last few months.
Based on the specific intelligence inputs obtained on Friday, officers of NCB, Bangalore Zonal and Hyderabad sub zonal Unit succeeded in intercepting a mini-truck used in trafficking illicit Alprazolam at Kolar Industrial area, Bidar, Karnataka and seized 91.5 kgs of Alprazolam from a truck at the manufacturing unit. The factory where the contraband was manufactured, at Bidar was also searched. During the search, remnants of Alprazolam powder were found in the factory equipment. It was found that the said consignment was manufactured in this unit.
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Simultaneously, searches were conducted by NCB Hyderabad team in the house of NV Reddy, at Hyderabad, who was illegally running the Alprazolam factory, which led to the recovery of Rs 62 lakhs cash believed to be the proceeds of the drug trafficking. The kingpin of the syndicate, S Bhaskara and the chemical expert Y V Reddy, who had manufactured the drug at the factory tried to flee the spot and were apprehended after a high-speed chase by the NCB team.
A total of five persons namely S Bhaskara, YV Reddy, S Menon, Amruth and NV Reddy, all residents of Telangana were apprehended in this connection. The investigation revealed that the Alprazolam was meant for sale in Telangana. Further investigation, in this case, is under progress.
Illegal manufacturing and trafficking of Alprazolam in Telangana is a cause of concern for law enforcement agencies. Alprazolam is a psychotropic substance belonging to the benzodiazepines class, which are anti-depressants. However, the same is largely trafficked illegally for recreational usage worldwide. In the states of
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Alprazolam is widely used in illicit toddy to provide the extra kick. Alprazolam laced toddy is very dangerous and causes serious health complications, including death.
