Along with Ephedrine, authorities also seized raw material, equipment and cash. (Representational photo)
Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh:
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have seized over 45 kg of Ephedrine, a chemical used to manufacture some banned drugs, worth Rs 4.5 crores.
Based on specific intelligence, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit conducted a search operation and busted an illicit manufacturing facility in Industrial Development Park, Kadapa on Saturday.
Ephedrine, a pre-cursor chemical used in manufacture of drugs and a Schedule-A controlled substance under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, was being manufactured at the premises, officials said.
The officers recovered and seized 45.165 kg of Ephedrine along with raw materials, equipment and cash amount of Rs 2 lakh.
The proprietor of the firm was arrested under NDPS Act, 1985 and was remanded to judicial custody. It is the first time that a narcotic controlled substance was seized by DRI in the district of Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.
In June, 50 Kg Ephedrine was seized by the DRI at a hotel in Auto Nagar, Hyderabad.