EAGLE forfeits ₹6 crore assets in inter-State Alprazolam trafficking probe

The Telangana EAGLE (Enforcement Against Gangs and Land Mafia) Force, in coordination with the Nizamabad police, has forfeited properties with an estimated market value of ₹6 crore, allegedly acquired from the proceeds of illegal Alprazolam trafficking. The action is part of a broader crackdown on an inter-State drug network operating across Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Alprazolam, commonly sold under the brand name Xanax, is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders. Its non-medical use is prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and trafficking attracts strict penalties, including forfeiture of assets derived from the trade.

The forfeiture follows the arrest of 15 persons and the seizure of 32.5 kg of Alprazolam in a case registered at Bodhan police station. During the investigation, the authorities traced the financial trail of the alleged drug trade and identified assets held by the accused, their associates and relatives.

The identified assets include 9.06 acres of agricultural land, 1,370 square yards of open plots, a chemical factory, four cars and two two-wheelers. While their value as per government rates was estimated at ₹2.5 crore, their prevailing market value was assessed at around ₹6 crore, police said.

The properties were forfeited on August 17 and 19 under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act, following confirmation by the competent authorities at Chennai and Mumbai. Section 68-F empowers the competent authority to forfeit property if it is found to be illegally acquired.

The investigation into the network also uncovered alleged links between Alprazolam trafficking and adulterated toddy. In cases registered at Nasrullabad and Gandhari police stations in Kamareddy district, toddy allegedly adulterated with Alprazolam left several consumers seriously ill or unconscious. Police identified 68 victims in the Nasrullabad case and 15 in the Gandhari case, all of whom were provided medical treatment.

Investigators said the wider network involved persons from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana who allegedly procured, manufactured, transported and distributed Alprazolam. In one related case near Zaheerabad, police seized 750 grams of Alprazolam, ₹7.50 lakh in cash, a car and mobile phones from persons allegedly involved in its supply.

In another operation at Bodhan in May 2025, police seized 2.5 kg of Alprazolam, valued at around ₹25 lakh, besides a car, eight mobile phones and ₹2.50 lakh in cash. These seizures indicate the scale of the illicit trade, officials said.

Further investigation allegedly revealed an illegal manufacturing operation in Maharashtra. Police said prime accused Amar Singh Deshmukh was operating Surya Prabha Pharma Chem in Satara, where he allegedly became involved in the manufacture of Alprazolam with associates. Searches at the factory and residences resulted in the seizure of the factory, valued at around ₹4 crore, ₹12 lakh in cash and 30 kg of Alprazolam, valued at around ₹3 crore, besides a car and other material.

The accused face multiple charges under the NDPS Act, and the investigation is ongoing. The forfeiture of assets is part of the authorities' strategy to dismantle the financial infrastructure of the drug network and send a deterrent message to others involved in similar activity.