The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has seized around 1,700 kg of chemical powder used in the manufacture of alprazolam.

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday said it has seized about 1,700 kg of chemical energy worth Rs 34 lakh, which was planned to be used to manufacture the psychotropic drug alprazolam.

According to a release issued by the ATS, the chemical was seized from a warehouse of the factory near Morbi town on August 19. Alprazolam is used in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders and is also a psychotropic substance classified under narcotics and psychotropic substances. (NDPS) Act.

The court remanded the accused in ATS custody till August 26, the release said.

In the investigation, the main accused Mahesh Vaishnav and another accused Piyush Patel also managed to earn money by manufacturing and selling alprazolam. The agency said in a statement that it secretly started the process of manufacturing a psychotropic drug in Morbi at a pesticide manufacturing plant a few months ago.

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There are a total of seven steps in making the drug, two of which have already completed the process and stored the chemical powder found in the factory’s godown, it said.

While a TS team raided a godown in Morbi and recovered Rs 34 lakh worth of powder, another team raided Vaishnab’s residence in Surat and seized Rs 50 lakh in cash, which he had obtained by selling a small quantity of mephedrone manufactured in a chemical factory in Bharuch. district, it is said