Date: 2026-03-13Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
DRI raids illegal Alprazolam factory in Andhra Pradesh under Operation “White Hammer”; 237 kg drugs worth ₹47 crore and over 3.5 tonnes of chemicals seized; two arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted "Operation White Hammer" on March 11th and 12th, 2026, leading to the bust of an illegal Alprazolam manufacturing facility in the Kondapalli Industrial Development Area, NTR District, Andhra Pradesh. The operation seized 237 kg of Alprazolam, valued at ₹47 crore, along with over 800 kg of raw materials and 2,860 liters of chemicals. Industrial-scale equipment, including reactors, driers, and a centrifuge, was also recovered from the clandestine setup, which operated under the guise of a chemical manufacturing unit.
The investigation revealed that the operation was masterminded by a chemist with over 20 years of experience, who colluded with an associate responsible for sourcing raw materials and distribution in Hyderabad. Both individuals have been arrested. This raid is part of the DRI's ongoing efforts, having dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units in the current financial year, contributing to the government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The primary agency conducting the raid and operation.
NDPS Act, 1985: The law under which Alprazolam is classified as a psychotropic substance and the basis for the crackdown.
Operation White Hammer: The codename of the intelligence-driven operation leading to the bust.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: A government initiative to combat drug menace, to which the DRI's actions reaffirm commitment.
Alprazolam: The specific illicitly manufactured psychotropic substance that is the subject of the operation.
Ministry of Finance
DRI raids illegal Alprazolam factory in Andhra
Pradesh under Operation “White Hammer”; 237
kg drugs worth ₹47 crore and over 3.5 tonnes of
chemicals seized; two arrested
Posted On: 13 MAR 2026 10:36AM by PIB Delhi
In a significant crackdown on the illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs, the Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence (DRI) has busted a clandestine facility engaged in the production of Alprazolam, a
psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985, in Kondapalli Industrial Development Area, District
NTR, Andhra Pradesh.
The intelligence-driven and well-coordinated operation codenamed “Operation White Hammer”, was
carried out on 11th and 12th March 2026, and revealed a full-fledged industrial setup for production of
Alprazolam, operating under the guise of a chemical manufacturing unit.Searches at the premises resulted in the seizure of 237 kg Alprazolam with an estimated market value of
Rs. 47 crore, along with over 800 kg key raw materials, 2,860 litres of various chemicals, and industrial-
scale equipment such as reactors, driers and a centrifuge, demonstrating an organised, large-scale
clandestine manufacturing facility.
Preliminary investigation revealed the operation was orchestrated by a chemist with over 20 years’
experience in chemical and pharmaceutical sector, in collusion with his associate who arranged raw
materials and distribution in Hyderabad. The accused had rented the factory premises for clandestinely
manufacturing Alprazolam. Both masterminds have been arrested.During the current financial year, DRI has dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units
through intelligence-based operations, reaffirming its firm commitment to the Government’s Nasha Mukt
Bharat Abhiyaan and to safeguarding society and people from the menace of narcotic and psychotropic
substances.
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