Narcotics bureau targets illegal online drug trade

New Delhi: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has launched Operation WIPE (Web-based Illicit Activities Prevention & Enforcement) to identify and purge illegal online listings of pharmaceutical drugs regulated under the NDPS Act.

Supported by the International Narcotics Control Board’s SNOOP program, NCB technical teams have identified 122 instances involving 62 different substances, including high-risk opioids like Fentanyl. NCB has issued formal notices to major online marketplaces who have responded by suspending suspicious vendors and removing flagged products, officials said.

The action comes in the wake of NCB’s 2025 Operation MED-MAX, which exposed a transnational network that utilised a Karnataka-based call centre and B2B platforms to ship tramadol and psychotropic substances to North America and Europe via cryptocurrency and PayPal.

The agency emphasised that the misuse of digital platforms allows traffickers to bypass traditional documentation, making real-time web surveillance essential.

Under the govt’s zero-tolerance policy, the NCB is also urging public participation. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious online drug listings through the National Narcotics Helpline (1933), ensuring that links and seller details are shared to facilitate swift intervention while maintaining confidentiality.