In a major crackdown on illegal pharmaceutical trafficking, the Telangana Prohibition and Excise Department has arrested Ajay Tripathi, the prime accused in an alprazolam smuggling racket. He was traced to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after weeks of investigation.
The arrest follows a joint operation conducted on June 4, 2025, by Telangana Excise and the Drug Control Administration (DCA), which led to the seizure of 1,79,400 alprazolam tablets weighing 26.91 kg from a location in Autonagar, Hyderabad. The contraband is estimated to be worth Rs27 lakh in the illicit market.
Authorities stated that the tablets were being distributed without proper authorisation across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, posing a serious risk to public health due to potential misuse and abuse.
Ajay Tripathi is believed to be the kingpin of the operation and was coordinating logistics, storage, and interstate distribution of the banned substance.
He will be brought to Hyderabad for further interrogation and is likely to face charges under the NDPS Act and relevant pharmaceutical control laws.
