Over 80 fall ill after consuming alprazolam-laced toddy in Kamareddy

A man and his son have been arrested in Kamareddy district after over 80 people were hospitalised from consuming toddy laced with Alprazolam, sparking a health scare and triggering a criminal investigation by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB).

The arrests follow two separate incidents on April 8 and 9, in which residents from Durki, Damarancha, Ankole, Rampur, Sangyam and Gouraram villages reported nausea, dizziness and loss of consciousness after consuming toddy, said Director of the bureau Sandeep Shandilya. “Tests confirmed traces of Alprazolam — a prescription sedative and banned narcotic when misused — in both the toddy and victims’ biological samples,” he said.

The first case, affecting 68 individuals, was traced on April 8 to an unauthorised depot in Durki run by Uduthala Laxma Goud and his son Uduthala Surendher Goud. Both have since been arrested. Forty-seven victims are still being treated at the Government Hospital in Banswada, while 15 were shifted to the Government General Hospital in Nizamabad.

“The second incident, reported the following day from Gouraram in Gandhari Mandal, saw 15 more victims with similar symptoms. The toddy is believed to have been adulterated at a depot managed by Shankar Goud and Papagoud. Ten others remain under medical care at the Government Area Hospital in Banswada,” explained the officer.

Two FIRs have been registered by the Nasrullabad Police and the Gandhari Police under the NDPS Act and Telangana State Excise Act. The ten individuals named as accused are Uduthala Laxma Goud, Uduthala Surendher Goud, Shankar Goud, Papagoud, Ramu, Narsing Goud, Narsinga, Ashok, Raju and Venkataiah.

Of them, only Laxma Goud and Surendher Goud have been arrested so far; the others are absconding.

Investigators say the motive was simple: spike the toddy to make it addictive and reel in repeat customers. The Alprazolam was sourced illegally and allegedly mixed to maximise profits.

TGANB Director Sandeep Shandilya confirmed that the seized narcotic was locally manufactured. “All affected patients are reportedly stable but under observation to manage withdrawal symptoms,” he concluded.

The bureau has asked citizens to report any illegal supply of Alprazolam or ganja by calling Dial 100 or the toll-free number 1908. Identities of informants will be kept confidential.