The illegal leasing of reactors and other infrastructure at chemical manufacturing units has emerged as a route for clandestine production of synthetic drugs in Telangana, prompting enforcement agencies to tighten scrutiny of pharmaceutical and chemical units across the State.

The EAGLE Force on Monday said investigations into earlier drug seizures had found instances where reactors were leased for unauthorised activities. These included Vetukuri Labs at Kondamadugu village in Bibinagar, where illicit manufacture of mephedrone was detected, and SM Labs at Moulali, where law enforcement agencies detected illicit synthesis of alprazolam.

The issue figured prominently at a high-level coordination meeting convened by the EAGLE Force at its headquarters in Banjara Hills on October 5. Officials from drug control, pollution control, factories, Excise and police departments participated.

Authorities have decided to treat the illegal renting or leasing of chemical reactors and manufacturing infrastructure to unauthorised persons or entities as a serious red flag and warned of stringent action against units involved in such practices.

The scrutiny is also being extended beyond established industrial units. EAGLE officials said clandestine synthetic drug manufacturing had been detected in poultry farms and deserted houses, indicating attempts to move production away from conventional laboratories.

In another case flagged by the agency, Propofol was allegedly shipped to Taiwan after being misdeclared as “AC Compressor Oil”. During surprise inspections to verify stocks and records of precursor chemicals at around 80 industries, authorities also detected a discrepancy of more than 200 kg of acetic anhydride, a regulated precursor chemical, following which action was initiated.

The meeting discussed integrating and sharing data on chemical units, laboratories and research and development centres across Telangana to enable agencies to identify suspicious activity at an earlier stage.

Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers will also be sensitised about adhering to the Voluntary Code of Conduct, including identifying suspicious transactions and red-flag indicators involving precursor chemicals. EAGLE plans to hold a meeting with manufacturers operating in industrial areas including Bollaram, Jinnaram, Cherlapally, Jeedimetla, Pashamylaram, Balanagar, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri and Patancheru.

Scrutiny will also extend to businesses supplying laboratory equipment such as round-bottom flasks, hot water baths, distillation columns, stirrers and centrifuges that could potentially be diverted for clandestine drug manufacture.

Transport, courier and logistics companies will meanwhile be asked to strengthen checks on consignments and maintain accurate details of consignors and consignees. Authorities said consignments should carry valid invoices and e-way bills wherever applicable to ensure traceability. EAGLE is planning a separate meeting with courier, express parcel and logistics operators on measures to prevent their networks from being misused.

Monday’s meeting was chaired by EAGLE Force Director Sandeep Shandilya and included representatives of TG SAFE’s Drugs Wing, Telangana Pollution Control Board, Department of Factories, Prohibition and Excise Department, and police units from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri, Future City, Sangareddy and Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri.