Narcotics raid on Alprazolam manufacturing factory, Goods worth ₹3.44 crore seized, two arrested

A team from the Central Narcotics Bureau (NCB), Indore, raided a warehouse located in the village Sejawata area along the Mhow-Neemuch highway in Ratlam and busted an illegal Alprazolam manufacturing factory. The team seized 13.762 kilograms of Alprazolam and equipment from the warehouse. The seized Alprazolam is estimated to be worth ₹3.44 crore. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Both accused were produced in court on Sunday evening and underwent medical examination at the district hospital. The accused remained concealed throughout the investigation.

According to a press release issued by the Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau Indore, Ritesh Ranjan, in a major crackdown against illegal drug manufacturing, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Indore Zonal Unit raided a clandestine laboratory located in village Sajewata area and busted the illegal manufacturing of Alprazolam (in powder form). Based on credible intelligence, NCB teams kept a constant watch on the warehouse and the activities of the smugglers, following which the raid was conducted. During the raid, 13.762 kg of Alprazolam was seized from there, with an estimated value of Rs 3.44 crore. In addition to the drugs, equipment, chemicals, and solvents used in the clandestine factory were also seized, including condensers, stirrers, thermometers, 7.5 liters of ethyl acetate, 2.5 liters of isopropyl alcohol (toluene), 40 liters of methanol, 7.5 liters of chloroform 7.5, 500 ml of glacial acetic acid, 500 ml of Micky Mitra, and 500 ml of dichloric acid. The accused involved in the illegal manufacturing, 51-year-old Roop Singh Chauhan and 39-year-old Abhijeet Singh Chauhan, have been arrested.

Roop Singh Chauhan has been imprisoned in a Telangana jail

Accused Roop Singh Chauhan holds a B.Tech degree from Shri Vaishnav Institute of Management and Science, Indore. He previously operated several pharmaceutical enterprises, including Wilson Pharma (Dhar) and Shridhara Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. (Roorkee). In 2021, a case was registered against them by the Telangana State Excise Department for illegally smuggling commercial quantities of Alprazolam, in which they served time in Sangareddy Jail. They are currently out on bail. Abhijeet Singh Chauhan, meanwhile, holds a B.Pharma degree from Rishiraj College of Pharmacy, Indore. Abhijeet was previously associated with the Indian Red Cross Society, Ratlam, and later became a partner in the pharmaceutical and Ayurvedic products business with Roop Singh Chauhan.

Illicit Manufacturing for Several Months

According to the Narcotics Control Bureau, Indore, preliminary investigations revealed that the two accused, using their pharmaceutical background and available facilities, illegally manufactured Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance controlled under the NDPS Act. They had been illegally manufacturing the drug in a rented warehouse in village Sejawata since January 2025. Investigations are underway to identify their supply chain, financial transactions, and potential interstate network. The NCB has appealed to citizens that anyone can share information related to drug sales on the National Narcotics Helpline Manas (toll-free number 1933).