NCB Busts ₹12 Crore Alprazolam Racket in Siddipet, Chemist Among Three Arrested

In a major crackdown on the illegal narcotics trade, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has unearthed an alleged Alprazolam manufacturing and trafficking racket operating in Telangana’s Siddipet district , arresting three persons, including a highly qualified freelance chemist . Officials seized 39.470 kilograms of Alprazolam , valued at nearly ₹12 crore , along with ₹85.36 lakh in cash believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking activities.

According to the Hyderabad Zonal Unit of the NCB , the operation was conducted on May 15 based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the illegal movement of psychotropic substances. Acting swiftly, officials intercepted two four-wheelers and detained two individuals allegedly exchanging Alprazolam without any valid licence or authorization.

During the search operation, NCB teams recovered the bulk quantity of the banned substance and cash linked to the illegal sale of the drug. Investigators later traced the supply chain after one of the accused reportedly disclosed details about the source of the narcotics.

Based on the lead, officials apprehended another suspect from Hyderabad , who was later identified as an MSc Chemistry graduate working as a chemist freelancer . During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to manufacturing Alprazolam secretly at a laboratory in Prashantnagar, Hyderabad .

Alprazolam is a prescription psychotropic medicine belonging to the benzodiazepine class , commonly prescribed for treating anxiety disorders and panic attacks . The drug acts on the nervous system by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA , producing a calming and sedative effect. However, experts warn that its misuse can lead to addiction, dependency, impaired memory, drowsiness, and severe withdrawal complications .

Officials pointed out that unlike ganja , which is derived naturally from the cannabis plant, Alprazolam is a synthetically manufactured pharmaceutical drug , making illegal laboratory production particularly alarming due to the sophistication involved.

Preliminary investigation suggests the accused may have trafficked nearly 150 kilograms of Alprazolam over the past five years , indicating a potentially extensive narcotics network. All three accused were produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody , while further investigation is underway to uncover additional links in the operation.