New Delhi: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking in the national capital, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Central District Police has busted an organized pharmaceutical drug supply racket. Police have arrested three individuals and recovered a total of 17,800 Alprazolam tablets, classified under the NRx category. The operation is being seen as a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb the misuse and illegal distribution of controlled medicines in the Delhi-NCR region.
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Illegal supply of controlled medicine under probe
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District) Rohit Rajbir Singh said the racket was involved in the illegal procurement and distribution of Alprazolam tablets without proper authorization. Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused were systematically collecting large quantities of the sedative drug and supplying it across multiple locations in Delhi and adjoining states. Alprazolam is a controlled psychotropic substance and its sale without valid prescription is strictly regulated under law.
The first arrest was made when police intercepted Santosh Kumar Thakur (35), a resident of Jagatpuri, Delhi. He was found carrying around 15,000 Alprazolam tablets on a scooter. Suspicion arose during routine surveillance, following which a search revealed the massive consignment. During initial interrogation, he admitted that the tablets were being transported for further distribution in the illegal supply chain.
Medical shop raid leads to wider trail
Acting on his disclosure, the police conducted a raid at a medical shop in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad. During the operation, another accused, Anand Kumar Vaishnav (45), owner of “Shri Krishna Medicos” and a resident of Purani Seemapuri, Delhi, was arrested. Police recovered an additional 2,800 Alprazolam tablets from his possession. Investigators believe the medical store played a crucial role in channeling the controlled substances into the illegal market.
Further investigation led police to Pilkhuwa in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh, where the alleged main supplier, Sherkhan, was arrested. According to officials, Sherkhan was the central figure coordinating bulk supply of the tablets to various intermediaries, including medical outlets and local distributors. His financial transactions and communication records are now under detailed scrutiny.
Police officials indicated that the racket was not limited to a single city but had an active supply network across multiple regions of the National Capital Region (NCR). Interrogation of the accused is ongoing to determine the exact procurement sources of the tablets and the final beneficiaries of the illegal supply chain.
Interstate network and source of tablets being traced
Authorities have emphasized that Alprazolam is a prescription-based medication used for treating anxiety and related disorders, but its misuse as a recreational drug has increased in recent years. Such abuse poses serious health risks, including dependency, impaired cognitive functions, and potential overdose in severe cases. This has made its unauthorized circulation a matter of serious concern for law enforcement agencies.
The Anti-Narcotics Cell is now tracing the entire distribution network, including financial transactions, digital communication records, and logistical channels used by the accused. Officials suspect that more individuals may be involved in the racket, and further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
Police have also begun examining whether the seized drugs were sourced through legitimate pharmaceutical supply chains or diverted through illegal manufacturing and distribution channels. Efforts are underway to identify other possible stockists and intermediaries linked to the network.
