Gujarat ATS nabs three wanted accused in ₹107-Crore Alprazolam factory case after 72-hour multi-state operation

In a major breakthrough in the fight against narcotics trafficking, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three key accused in connection with a ₹107-crore illegal Alprazolam manufacturing racket. The arrests come six months after a massive drug seizure from a clandestine pharmaceutical unit in Khambhat taluka of Anand district.

On January 23, 2025, the Gujarat ATS raided Greenlife Industries, located in Neja village of Khambhat, and uncovered a large-scale illicit drug manufacturing operation. Officers seized 107 kilograms of Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance commonly abused as a sedative, worth approximately ₹107 crore, along with 2,518 kilograms of other chemicals used in the manufacturing process. The probe later led to the discovery of an additional 500 kilograms of Tramadol stored in a warehouse in Dholka, Ahmedabad.

Initially, six accused were arrested and booked under various sections of the NDPS Act at the ATS police station. Those arrested included Ajay Jain, Vijay Makwana, Hemant Patel, Lalji Makwana, Ranjit Dabhi, and Jaydeep Makwana. Legal proceedings against them are currently underway.

Investigative breakthrough

According to ATS sources, Ajay Jain allegedly procured Alprazolam from co-accused Vijay Makwana and sold it to buyers across state lines, specifically Aslam Khan from Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh), Kaluram Patidar from Rajgarh (Madhya Pradesh), and Sakil Mohammad from Jhalawar (Rajasthan).

Investigations revealed that Aslam Khan had previously paid ₹2.15 crore via angadia (traditional cash courier system) for a 5-kg consignment of Alprazolam, while Patidar and Mohammad had jointly paid ₹2.3 crore for 11 kg of the same substance. An additional advance payment of ₹2.3 crore was also made for the large-scale production of 107 kilograms of Alprazolam.

72-hour operation across three districts

Based on this intelligence, a special team of  ATS officials was formed to trace and arrest the absconding accused. Following an intensive 72-hour manhunt, the team successfully apprehended:

1. Aslam Khan, son of Hajialam Khan, from Jaora, District Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh

2. Kaluram Patidar, from Jiriyakhedi, District Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh

3. Sakil Mohammad, from Bhawanimandi, District Jhalawar, Rajasthan

The arrests were made from three separate locations across two states, following coordinated surveillance and human intelligence efforts. All three have been remanded in custody, and legal formalities under the NDPS Act have been duly initiated.

Prior criminal records

Authorities have also confirmed that the arrested individuals have prior criminal records involving narcotics and excise offences:

Aslam Khan was convicted in 2011 under sections of the NDPS Act and sentenced to 10 years in prison 

 Kaluram Patidar has multiple cases against him booked under Sections of the NDPS Act and was sentenced to two years under Sections of the Excise Act. Involved in a 2018–19 seizure of methamphetamine (smack) by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Indore Unit