Telangana police have dismantled a significant drug manufacturing network involved in the production and sale of Alprazolam, a prohibited substance. The authorities seized a large quantity of contraband and identified assets worth Rs 60 crore in the possession of the accused.
The investigation began after police in Sangareddy district detained 47-year-old Girma Gouni Sudhir Goud, a real estate businessman, on Friday. Goud, who was transporting Alprazolam in his car, was intercepted by the police and later confessed to leading the illicit operation.
According to Superintendent of Police Chennuri Rupesh, Goud and his associates have been involved in the illegal trade of Alprazolam since 2014. Initially, the group sold adulterated liquor mixed with the drug, but in 2023, they escalated their operations by setting up their own drug manufacturing unit.
The gang purchased a chemical factory located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, where they installed machinery to produce Alprazolam. Each batch produced approximately 50 kg of the drug, which they sold at Rs 4 lakh per kg in districts such as Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Siddipet, and Kamareddy.
Alongside the mastermind Sudhir Goud, police arrested five individuals: his wife Girma Gouni Srivani (38), a homemaker; Bisweshwar Singh (43), a businessman from Odisha; Rajeshwar Sharma Joshi (41), a priest; and Boda Shashi Kumar (30), a driver. The police also seized 740 grams of Alprazolam, three cars, six mobile phones, and other incriminating materials.
Furthermore, authorities identified assets worth Rs 60 crore linked to the suspects. Nine additional members of the racket, including Goud’s associates Vishal Goud and Sai Goud, remain at large, and police efforts are underway to capture them
