In News:

In a significant action against the illicit drug trade, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently dismantled a clandestine alprazolam manufacturing unit in Valsad, Gujarat, under an intelligence-led operation codenamed “Operation White Cauldron.” The bust highlights the growing challenge of synthetic drug production in India and underscores the role of enforcement agencies in implementing the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Alprazolam

Alprazolam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs, which act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Medically, it is prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders, but its misuse can lead to addiction, cognitive impairment, and overdose. Due to its abuse potential, alprazolam is classified as a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985, making its unauthorised manufacture, possession, and trafficking a serious criminal offence.

NDPS Act, 1985: Legal Framework

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 forms the backbone of India’s drug control regime. It:

• Prohibits unauthorised production, cultivation, manufacture, sale, transport, storage, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Enables forfeiture of property derived from or used in illicit drug trafficking.
• Empowers the government to add or remove substances from the list of controlled drugs.
• Seeks to implement India’s obligations under international drug control conventions.

The Act aims not only at law enforcement but also at prevention, regulation, and deterrence of drug abuse and trafficking.

Wider Implications and Trends

The Valsad bust is part of a broader pattern. In 2025 alone, the DRI dismantled four illegal drug manufacturing units across multiple states. A similar operation earlier in the year in Andhra Pradesh uncovered another alprazolam unit, with drugs again intended for Telangana. These cases highlight:

• The rise of domestic synthetic drug manufacturing.
• Increasing misuse of pharmaceutical psychotropics.
• The need for tighter monitoring of precursor chemicals and supply chains.

Relevance to National Initiatives

Such enforcement actions directly support the government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which seeks to reduce drug demand, disrupt supply networks, and protect vulnerable communities from substance abuse.