ED Seizes Rs 4.8 Crore Properties in Major Alprazolam Money Laundering Crackdown
The Enforcement Directorate's Hyderabad unit has taken decisive action, provisionally attaching immovable properties valued at a staggering Rs 4.8 crore. This significant move is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation centered on the illicit manufacturing and distribution of alprazolam, a controlled psychotropic substance. The attached assets are linked to a network of individuals including Girmagouni Sudheer, Bishweswar Singh, Rajeshwar Sharma Joshi, Bhavanigari Prabhu Varagoud, Gajjela Sreesailam Goud, and other associates from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Investigation Origins and Network Unraveled
The ED initiated its Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) probe based on a First Information Report (FIR) originally filed by the Gummadidala police station in Sangareddy district. This FIR targeted multiple persons involved in the unauthorized production, sale, and purchase of alprazolam. Through meticulous investigation, the ED uncovered that Girmagouni Sudheer had been actively engaged in the alprazolam trade since 2014, operating on a commission basis.
He allegedly collaborated closely with his brother, Bhavanigari Prabhuvara Goud, and his brother-in-law, Gajjela Sreeshailam Goud. Their primary method involved selling alprazolam to toddy vendors, who would then mix the substance into toddy to artificially enhance its potency. This illegal enterprise expanded significantly when Sudheer partnered with Bishweswar Singh, broadening the network's reach and operations.
Factory Acquisition and Manufacturing Expansion
In a bold escalation of their activities, G Sudheer Goud and Bishweswar Singh, in partnership with Rajeshwar Sharma Joshi, purchased a factory known as Sai Priya Chemicals located in Bacharam village, Abdullapurmet, during 2023. The facility was subsequently rebranded as Stanchem Chemicals. At this site, the accused began manufacturing alprazolam directly, systematically sharing the profits from sales according to their respective investments in the factory.
Money Laundering Techniques and Property Acquisitions
The ED's investigation further revealed that the proceeds generated from this illegal alprazolam business were predominantly received in cash. These illicit funds were then strategically laundered through two primary methods:
- Direct cash payments were used to acquire immovable properties.
- Cash deposits were made into bank accounts, which were subsequently utilized to purchase real estate assets.
Notably, cash deposits were not only made into the personal accounts of the accused but also into the bank accounts of their wives. Immovable properties were acquired in the names of both the accused individuals and their spouses, illustrating a deliberate attempt to conceal the illegal origins of the wealth.
Previous Search Operations and Seizures
This latest attachment follows earlier enforcement actions in the case. On August 21, 2025, the ED conducted searches at seven different premises, resulting in the seizure of substantial evidence and assets. The seized items included:
- Incriminating documents crucial to the investigation.
- Cash amounting to Rs 5 lakh.
- Foreign currencies: $834 and Euro 1910.
- A 100-gram gold bullion piece.
- 17 silver bars with a total weight of approximately 2996 grams.
These seizures provided critical leads that have now culminated in the provisional attachment of properties worth Rs 4.8 crore, marking a significant step in dismantling the financial infrastructure of this illicit alprazolam network.
