Gujarat ATS busts illegal drug factory, seizes Alprazolam worth ₹107 crore

Acting on specific intelligence provided by a trusted informant, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Harsh Upadhyay raided Greenlife Industries in Neja village.

The raid resulted in the arrest of five persons named Ranjit Dabhi, Vijay Makwana, Hemant Patel, Lalaji Makwana and Jaideep Makwana.

Authorities also confiscated ₹20 lakh in cash from Ranjit Dabhi, allegedly received for the production of Alprazolam. Dabhi, the owner of Satyam Traders, along with Vijay Makwana and Hemant Patel, who previously worked in chemical manufacturing, ran the illegal operation. Lalaji and Jaideep Makwana assisted them in the factory.

The investigation revealed that the accused supplied the narcotic substance to one Ajay Jain, a repeat offender previously convicted in cases registered with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

The seized quantity of Alprazolam could have been used to manufacture an estimated 42.8 crore tablets, each containing 0.15 grams of the drug. Alprazolam is a prescription medication for anxiety disorders, but is often abused as a recreational drug, making its illegal manufacturing a severe offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Following the raid, Ajay Jain was apprehended in Nandurbar, Madhya Pradesh, by the Gujarat ATS team. Jain has a history of involvement in drug-related offences and had previously served a 16-year sentence for similar crimes.

The ATS has registered a case under the NDPS Act and is continuing its investigation to uncover further links and networks related to this illegal operation. The assistance of local police from Khambhat played a crucial role in the successful execution of the raid.