EAGLE team seizes 220 kg of ephedrine worth ₹72 crore in Hyderabad raid
HYDERABAD: Acting on credible intelligence, sleuths of the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) busted a major narcotics manufacturing racket and arrested four persons for allegedly producing 220 kg of ephedrine, a controlled substance valued at ₹72 crore in the international market. The raid took place on October 9, 2025, at a flat in Sai Datta Residency, Spring Field Colony, near Suchitra crossroads, Jeedimetla.
Four-member gang held with 220 kg of ephedrine
The arrested persons were identified as Vastavayi Shiva Ramakrishna Parama Varma (52), an aquaculture businessman from Kakinada; Dangeti Anil (31), production manager at PNM Life Sciences, IDA Bollaram; Musini Dorababu (29), a production operator at Vignasai Laboratories; and Maddu Venkata Krishna Rao (45), director of PNM Life Sciences. Another director of the firm, M. Prasad (49), is absconding.
During the raid, officials seized 220 kg of ephedrine, valued at about ₹10 crore in the domestic market and ₹70 crore internationally, along with four mobile phones.
Chemical manufacturing unit seized at IDA Bollaram
Investigations revealed that Varma, previously arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 2017 and 2019 for similar offences, approached Anil in December 2024 with a proposal to manufacture ephedrine at PNM Life Sciences. He provided the formula, raw materials such as toluene, bromine, acetone and ₹8 lakh through online transfers to procure other chemicals, including sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid.
After multiple processing stages, Anil and his associates produced 220 kg of the final product and stored it at Varma’s flat in Jeedimetla. The accused sought buyers through Dorababu, who was assisting them. Based on surveillance, EAGLE officials intercepted the group while they met to finalise a deal and seized the drugs.
The manufacturing unit at PNM Life Sciences, IDA Bollaram, has also been sealed. Officials said no lease deeds, bank transactions or company records were maintained, indicating deliberate concealment of illicit operations.
Ephedrine can be converted into methamphetamine
Investigators noted that ephedrine, a precursor chemical, can be converted into methamphetamine—popularly known as ‘meth’—which is ten times more potent and lucrative. The seized material was of “A-grade quality”, according to forensic examination.
Appeal to citizens
EAGLE urged citizens to report drug-related information on toll-free number 1908 or WhatsApp 87126 71111. “All information will be kept confidential, and credible informants will be suitably rewarded,” an official said.
“Let us join hands to build a drug-free Telangana,” the statement added.
