In a decisive action against synthetic drug manufacturing, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a clandestine factory engaged in the production of Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance regulated under the NDPS Act, 1985. The factory was located in a sparsely populated area off Gujarat State Highway 701, Valsad, Gujarat. The operation, codenamed “Operation White Cauldron,” resulted in the seizure of drugs worth ₹22 crore and the arrest of four individuals linked to the network.
Intelligence-Led Raid and Significant Seizures
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officers conducted discreet surveillance of the manufacturing facility. On November 4, 2025, a swift and coordinated raid uncovered a full-scale illegal manufacturing unit. The seized items included:
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9.55 kg of finished Alprazolam
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104.15 kg of semi-finished Alprazolam
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431 kg of raw materials, including key chemicals such as p-Nitrochlorobenzene, Phosphorous Pentasulfide, Ethyl Acetate, and Hydrochloric Acid
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A complete industrial-scale processing setup with reactors, centrifuge, refrigeration unit, and heating mantle
Arrests of Key Operators and Drug Recipient
The operation led to the arrest of two primary individuals directly involved in manufacturing and financing Alprazolam, one employee aiding production, and the recipient of the drugs who had traveled from Telangana to collect the consignment. The total arrests numbered four.
Investigations Reveal Drug Distribution Network
Preliminary investigations indicate that the illegally manufactured Alprazolam was destined for supply in Telangana, with plans to mix it in Toddy, an alcoholic beverage. This bust follows a similar DRI operation in August 2025 in Atchuthapuram, Andhra Pradesh, where 119.4 kg of Alprazolam intended for Telangana was seized.
Continued Vigilance in Drug Enforcement
This year alone, the DRI has dismantled four clandestine manufacturing facilities through intelligence-driven operations, reflecting continuous vigilance and operational excellence. These efforts align closely with the Government’s “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan” initiative aimed at protecting citizens from the dangers of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
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Source: PIB
