Valsad: In a major blow to the synthetic drug industry, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted an illegal factory located in a secluded area off Gujarat State Highway (SH) 701 in Valsad. The factory was engaged in the production of Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance regulated under the NDPS Act, 1985.

The operation, codenamed “Operation White Cauldron,” resulted in the seizure of Alprazolam worth ₹22 crore and the arrest of four persons, including the masterminds—financiers and manufacturers—as well as the intended recipient of the drug.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers conducted discreet surveillance of the identified facility. On 4th November 2025, a swift and coordinated raid uncovered a full-scale illegal manufacturing unit.

The search resulted in the seizure of the following:

• 9.55 kg of Alprazolam (finished form)
• 104.15 kg of Alprazolam (semi-finished form)
• 431 kg of raw materials, including key chemicals such as p-Nitrochlorobenzene, Phosphorous Pentasulfide, Ethyl Acetate, and Hydrochloric Acid
• Full industrial-scale processing setup, including reactors, centrifuge, industrial refrigeration unit, and heating mantle.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of two key persons directly involved in the manufacturing and financing of Alprazolam, an employee assisting in production, and the recipient of the drug, who had traveled from Telangana to collect it, bringing the total arrests to four.

Preliminary probe revealed that the manufactured Alprazolam was intended for supply to Telangana, potentially for mixing with Toddy. Notably, the DRI had busted a similar Alprazolam manufacturing unit in August 2025 at Atchuthapuram, Anakapalli District, Andhra Pradesh, where 119.4 kg of Alprazolam was seized, also destined for Telangana for mixing with Toddy. DeshGujarat