Hyderabad is in shock after police discovered a secret drug-making operation inside Medha School in Bowenpally. The Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) led the raid, finding over 7 kg of alprazolam. This included 3.5 kg of finished pills and 4.3 kg of tablets still being made. They also found raw materials and advanced equipment. Additionally, authorities seized 21 lakh in cash. Malela Jaya Prakash Goud, the school director, and two others are now in custody.
Education officer Harish Chandra from Balanagar mandal quickly acted by withdrawing all permissions and affiliations for Medha School. To protect students’ education, he is working with parents to transfer them to new schools without interruption.
SP Sita Ram explained that alprazolam, initially made by Pfizer as Xanax, is now mainly produced illegally. The local market price is 12,000 per kg, while production costs 6–7 lakh per batch, yet manufacturing charges are just 1 lakh. This high profit has encouraged illegal operations. Medha School, running for ten years, cited high expenses like 70,000 rent and over 1 lakh maintenance per month as reasons for turning to crime.
A mix of toddy and alprazolam has led to widespread addiction. From 2014 to June 2025, 39,176 cases of adulterated toddy have been reported. Hyderabad has 97 legal toddy outlets, but illegal production thrives due to weak enforcement and demand. The school’s chemistry lab and restricted areas became drug labs with reactors and dryers. Investigations showed Goud learned the process from Guruvareddy, paying 2 lakh for this illegal knowledge. Goud used hidden school sections for production while 63 students attended classes below. The school’s busy location helped avoid detection by using odorless chemicals.
The EAGLE team is working to trace the drug distribution network and chemical suppliers, vowing strict action against everyone involved, including those leaking formulas. All seized assets will go to the government. The community urges the Drug Control Administration to ensure proper licensing and carry out regular raids to curb addictive toddy and prevent family harm.
