Freelance Chemist Among 3 Arrested in Hyderabad Illegal Alprazolam Manufacturing Case
Arrested
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested three individuals, including a freelance chemist, for allegedly manufacturing and trafficking a large quantity of Alprazolam in Telangana. Officials seized 39.470 kg of the psychotropic substance along with cash amounting to Rs 85.36 lakh during the operation.
According to NCB officials, two accused were caught near Kalakunta Colony on the Siddipet Outer Ring Road while allegedly exchanging Alprazolam illegally without possessing any valid licence. During the search operation, officials recovered the drugs and cash from their vehicles.
Based on information obtained during interrogation, investigators traced and arrested the alleged supplier from Madeenaguda in Hyderabad. The accused, reportedly a postgraduate in MSc Chemistry working as a freelance chemist, is accused of secretly manufacturing Alprazolam in a laboratory located in Hyderabad’s Prashantnagar area.
NCB stated that all three accused admitted their involvement in the illegal drug trade. They were booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Siasat Daily reports that preliminary investigation revealed that the accused may have trafficked nearly 150 kg of Alprazolam over the past five years. Authorities produced the accused before the Siddipet Magistrate, following which they were remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation into the network is currently underway.
