The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has launched Operation WIPE (Web-based Illicit Activities Prevention & Enforcement) to identify and eliminate illegal online listings of pharmaceutical drugs regulated under the NDPS Act.
Operation Details
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. The NCB has issued formal notices to major online marketplaces, which have responded by suspending suspicious vendors and removing flagged products, officials said.
Previous Crackdown
The action follows the NCB's 2025 Operation MED-MAX, which exposed a transnational network that used a Karnataka-based call centre and B2B platforms to ship tramadol and psychotropic substances to North America and Europe, with payments via cryptocurrency and PayPal.
Need for Surveillance
The agency emphasised that the misuse of digital platforms allows traffickers to bypass traditional documentation, making real-time web surveillance essential.
Public Participation
Under the government's zero-tolerance policy, the NCB is urging citizens to report suspicious online drug listings through the National Narcotics Helpline (1933), sharing links and seller details to facilitate swift intervention while maintaining confidentiality.
