Hyderabad: The Telangana EAGLE Force has forfeited movable and immovable properties with an estimated prevailing market value of Rs 6 crore, allegedly acquired from the proceeds of illegal Alprazolam trafficking, in a major financial crackdown on an interstate drug network operating across Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The properties, identified during a detailed financial investigation conducted by EAGLE Force and Bodhan Police of the Nizamabad Commissionerate, include 9.06 acres of agricultural land, 1,370 square yards of open plots, a chemical factory, four four-wheelers and two two-wheelers. Their value as per government rates was estimated at Rs.2.5 crore, while their prevailing market value was assessed at around Rs.6 crore.
The properties were forfeited on August 17 and 19 under Section 68(F) (freeze or seize illegally acquired properties derived from drug trafficking) of the NDPS Act after confirmation by the competent authorities in Chennai and Mumbai.
The financial investigation followed the arrest of 15 persons, including Amar Singh Deshmukh, Baburao Baswaraj Kadere and Mallepula Laxman Goud, and the seizure of 32.5 kg of Alprazolam. Police registered a case under Section 8(c) read with 22(c) (prohibition on illegal possession, sale, purchase, or transport of commercial quantities of psychotropic substances and its punishment) and Section 29 (those abetting a criminal plan get the same punishment) of the NDPS Act at Bodhan Police Station earlier.
The investigation allegedly revealed that the suspects, their associates and relatives had acquired movable and immovable properties using proceeds generated through the illegal trafficking of Alprazolam. Revenue passbooks, sale deeds, property tax receipts, building permissions, registration certificates and purchase invoices were examined as part of the financial probe.
Link between drug supply, toddy adulteration
The investigation also uncovered links between the Alprazolam supply network and the adulteration of toddy. In separate cases registered at the Nasrullabad and Gandhari police stations in the Kamareddy district, 68 and 15 victims, respectively, were identified after allegedly consuming toddy containing Alprazolam. The victims were provided medical treatment.
EAGLE Force also received details of more than 100 consumers of adulterated toddy from the Government De-Addiction Centre, Siddipet. In coordination with Siddipet Police, its teams conducted raids at toddy shops and depots and registered three cases at Siddipet I, II and III Town police stations. The agency said it had also conducted awareness programmes on the dangers of adulterated toddy in more than 500 villages across Telangana.
The probe further revealed an interstate supply network involving persons from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana, allegedly engaged in the procurement, manufacture, transportation and distribution of Alprazolam.
Fertiliser firm used to illegally manufacture drug
Further investigation allegedly revealed that Amar Singh Deshmukh was operating Surya Prabha Pharma Chem in Satara, Maharashtra. The chemical unit, which had been manufacturing chemical intermediates for agricultural fertilisers since 2019, was allegedly used for the illegal manufacture of Alprazolam.
Police alleged that Baburao Baswaraj Kadere was involved in the manufacturing process, while Shabbir Ali Pashamiya Chowdary and Parameshwar Vijay Bardade were involved in transportation and delivery. Mallepula Laxman Goud of Nizamabad was allegedly a regular customer and receiver of the drug.
During follow-up searches at the residences and factory premises of the suspects, EAGLE Force and Bodhan Police seized the Surya Prabha Pharma Chem factory, valued at around Rs.4 crore; Rs.12 lakh in cash; 30 kg of Alprazolam, allegedly worth Rs.3 crore; and a Ford car bearing registration number MH 12-SQ-0524.
