A major anti-narcotics operation has led to the dismantling of a clandestine unit manufacturing Alprazolam in the Kondapalli Industrial Development Area of Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) carried out the intelligence-led raid under Operation White Hammer on 11 and 12 March 2026. The facility was operating under the cover of a chemical manufacturing unit and was found to be a full-scale industrial setup for producing a psychotropic substance regulated under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Operation White Hammer
The operation was planned and executed after specific intelligence inputs. DRI teams searched the premises and uncovered an organised manufacturing unit hidden inside an industrial shed. The concealment strategy was designed to make the activity appear lawful. The raid exposed a large illicit supply chain linked to synthetic drug production.
Seizures and Industrial Setup
The search led to the seizure of:
- 237 kg of Alprazolam, valued at about Rs. 47 crore.
- More than 800 kg of key raw materials.
- 2,860 litres of various chemicals.
- Industrial equipment such as reactors, driers and a centrifuge.
The scale of the recovery indicated that the unit was operating as a professional clandestine factory rather than a small illegal lab. The presence of heavy machinery and bulk chemicals showed a structured production chain.
Modus Operandi and Arrests
Preliminary investigation found that the operation was run by a chemist with over 20 years of experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. He allegedly worked with an associate who arranged raw materials and handled distribution in Hyderabad. The factory premises had been rented specifically for illegal manufacture. Both key accused have been arrested. The case marks the use of industrial premises for synthetic drug production and the involvement of technically skilled persons in narcotics networks.
Significance for Anti-Drug Enforcement
During the current financial year, DRI has dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units through intelligence-based operations. The action supports the broader objective of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. It also underlines the growing focus on disrupting the manufacture, storage and distribution of psychotropic substances at source.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026