Herbal healthcare company CEO among six arrested in connection with Alprazolam trade

On Friday, September 27, 2024, police in the Delhi-NCR region said that six individuals, including the CEO of a natural healthcare company, had been taken into custody for allegedly producing and distributing the psychiatric drug Alprazolam.

The drug was reportedly produced at a facility owned by Biocase Foods and Extracts Pvt. Ltd. in Hisar, Haryana, which is managed by Dr. Naveen Aggarwal. Dr. Aggarwal, a recipient of the Indian Achiever’s Award, was named ‘CEO of the Year’ last year, police stated.

Anand Kumar, also known as Sonu, who owns the pharmaceutical company Sakshi Enterprises Ltd., was arrested for his involvement in the trade of these substances, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amit Goel.

The DCP stated, “The other accused are suppliers Mukesh Kumar, Ram Ashish Maurya, Rajender Kumar Mishra, and Deepak Kumar.”

The officer noted that Naveen Aggarwal, who is also the owner of Nutriley Pvt. Ltd., received the Indian Achiever’s Award in 2023.

The Indian Achievers’ Awards honor the exceptional accomplishments of professionals of Indian origin globally across various sectors.

On March 23 of this year, acting on a tip-off, a crime branch team apprehended one Rajender Prasad Mishra, also known as RP, in Delhi’s Brijpuri, disrupting the supply chain of the psychotropic substance Alprazolam.

Approximately 18 kg of Alprazolam powder was seized from his possession, according to the officer.

During interrogation, Mishra revealed that he served as a carrier for the drug cartel involved in the distribution of Alprazolam powder.

He informed the police that he obtained Alprazolam powder from Ram Ashish Maurya in Brijpuri and delivered it to Anand Kumar in Karawal Nagar, Delhi.

“The police then conducted raids and apprehended Ram Ashish Maurya and Anand Kumar, recovering a substantial amount of cash totaling Rs 1,17,60,350 from their residences,” the DCP reported.

Following this, Deepak Kumar from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, was also arrested and disclosed that the Alprazolam powder was produced at a facility belonging to Biocase Foods and Extracts Pvt. Ltd. in Hisar, owned by Dr. Naveen Aggarwal.

He claimed, “After that, Aggarwal was taken into custody and, with the assistance of the FSL team, traces of Alprazolam powder were also found from the factory.”

The investigation further revealed that accused Deepak had taken refuge at the home of Mukesh Kumar, who was also arrested in connection with the case. The police stated that the suspects are undergoing further interrogation, and an investigation is ongoing.