Home / Crime and Justice / Authorities Dismantle Sophisticated Alprazolam Manufacturing Unit in Valsad
Authorities Dismantle Sophisticated Alprazolam Manufacturing Unit in Valsad
7 Nov
Summary
- DRI raids uncover full-scale drug factory in Valsad, Gujarat
- Seizure of 119.4 kg of alprazolam, a controlled substance
- Four suspects arrested, including a man from Telangana
- Drugs valued at approximately Rs 22 crore confiscated
On Tuesday, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a raid on a drug factory located in Atgam village, Valsad district, Gujarat. The operation, named "Operation White Cauldron," culminated in the seizure of a significant quantity of alprazolam, a sedative that is a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The DRI's investigation revealed that the accused were running the factory under the guise of a cosmetic product manufacturing unit. In addition to the 9.55 kg of alprazolam in its finished form, the authorities also seized 104.15 kg of the drug in a semi-finished state and 431 kg of raw materials. The total value of the seized drugs is estimated to be around Rs 22 crore.
The DRI has arrested four individuals, including the financiers, manufacturers, and distributors involved in the illegal operation. Among the apprehended suspects is a man from Telangana who had traveled to Valsad to collect the drugs. The authorities have also sealed a cold storage facility near Kalwada village, which was suspected of being used to store the illegally produced drugs.
In a related development, on Sunday, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), in a joint operation with the Daman police and the Valsad Special Operations Group (SOG), busted a mephedrone manufacturing unit in Chala, near Vapi, Valsad. The raid resulted in the seizure of 5.9 kg of mephedrone, worth Rs 30 crore, along with a large quantity of raw materials and manufacturing equipment.
