Hyderabad: Major drug manufacturing racket busted, 4 held, Rs 72 crore worth Ephedrine seized

The EAGLE team busted a secret drug manufacturing unit in Jeedimetla, arresting four and seizing 220 kg of Ephedrine worth Rs 72 crore. The accused used a pharma factory in Bollaram for production. One director remains absconding

Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough against drug manufacturing networks, the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) team busted a clandestine drug unit operating at Springfield Colony in Jeedimetla and caught four persons. Officials seized 220 kilograms of Ephedrine, valued at around Rs 10 crore in India and Rs 72 crore in international market.

The arrested persons are Vastavayi Shiva Ramakrishna Parama Varma from Kakinada, previously arrested by NCB in 2017 and 2019 for similar offences, D Anil (31), Production Manager at PNM Life Sciences, M Dorababu, an operator at Vignasai Laboratories Pvt Ltd, M Venkata Krishna Rao, Director, PNM Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Bollaram. Prasad, Co-director of PNM Life Sciences is currently absconding.

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According to the officials, prime suspect Shiva Ramakrishna Varma, a repeat drug offender, conspired with Anil and the directors of PNM Life Sciences to manufacture Ephedrine using their factory at IDA Bollaram.

In December 2024, Varma provided the chemical formula and raw materials like Toluene, Bromine, and Acetone, transferring Rs 8 lakh to fund the operation. The production was carried out under Anil’s supervision with the assistance of co-accused Dorababu. The finished product, 220 kg of Ephedrine, was stored at Varma’s flat in Jeedimetla.

“The EAGLE team, which had been monitoring Varma due to his past drug links, raided when all suspects gathered at the flat. The operation led to the arrest of four suspects and seizure of the contraband. The manufacturing unit has also been sealed for violations and lack of statutory documentation,” said an official from EAGLE team.