The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has initiated “Operation WIPE” to address the rising threat of online drug trafficking. This operation has uncovered 122 instances of violations involving 62 substances, including popularly misused drugs like Clonazepam, Diazepam, and Fentanyl. Of these, 58 substances are regulated under the NDPS Act, with four classified as controlled substances.
To curb the misuse of online platforms for illegal drug sales, the NCB has sent formal notices to concerned platforms, instructing them to take immediate action. Notable platforms like India MART, Tradeindia, and Dial4Trade have already taken corrective measures by removing flagged products and suspending suspicious vendors.
“Operation WIPE” signifies a shift towards proactive prevention by detecting and removing illegal listings before they lead to actual trafficking. By leveraging advanced tools and international intelligence inputs, the NCB aims to identify emerging threats on the surface web promptly. This approach enhances India’s capacity to combat drug networks operating in physical and digital realms.
The operation builds on the success of a previous crackdown in July 2025 under “Operation MED-MAX,” where a transnational drug trafficking syndicate was dismantled with the help of global law enforcement agencies. This recent operation, originating from the seizure of tramadol tablets in India, exposed an organized network exploiting digital platforms for illicit activities.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate ran a call center in Karnataka’s Udupi, managing global orders through a prominent online B2B platform. Pharmaceutical drugs regulated under the NDPS Act were listed online, and customers were directly contacted for supply without proper documentation. Payments were channeled through cryptocurrencies, PayPal, and other remittance methods, with international re-shippers facilitating the final delivery.
