Ahmedabad, Dec 30 : The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in coordination with the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG), Jaipur, and local police, has busted an illegal drug manufacturing unit in Rajasthan’s Khairthal area, seizing 22 kg of psychotropic substances and arresting three men, officials said on Monday.
The joint raid, conducted on December 28, 2025, targeted APL Pharma in Tijara district, operating under the jurisdiction of Bhiwadi Phase-3 (UIT) Sector-3 police station. The unit was allegedly engaged in the unauthorised manufacture of Alprazolam and other psychotropic substances without any licence.
Three persons were arrested during the operation: Anshul A. Shastri, Akhilesh P. Maurya, and Krishna S. Yadav. In addition, three labourers present at the facility were taken in for questioning.
Police recovered 5 kg of Alprazolam and 17 kg of a mixture of other psychotropic substances, used as raw materials, along with precursor chemicals and semi-processed substances. The total seizure is valued at around ₹30 lakh.
Officials said preliminary investigations indicate that Shastri procured the raw materials through his trading firm. Shastri and Maurya reportedly handled logistics, while Yadav, a chemist, oversaw production.
“The Gujarat ATS, in coordination with the Rajasthan SOG and local police, busted a factory illegally producing psychotropic substances and arrested three persons from the spot,” officials said.
“The accused had rented a pharmaceutical unit to manufacture Alprazolam without any authorisation or licence,” the official release added.
An FIR has been registered at Bhiwadi Sector-3 police station under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities said further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain, financial trail, and identify possible links to a wider network.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that Shastri was involved in sourcing raw materials for manufacturing Alprazolam through his trading firm,” officials said, adding that the probe is ongoing.
The raid marks a part of the sustained crackdown by Gujarat ATS and Rajasthan Police on illegal drug networks operating across state borders.
