The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has launched ‘Operation WIPE’ to tackle the growing menace of online drug trafficking, officials said on April 26.
Operation – “Prevention and Enforcement of Illegal Activities on the Internet” – aims to prevent the abuse of online platforms for the illegal sale and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs regulated under Art. Law on narcotic and psychotropic substances1985 (NDPS), the Bureau said in its statement.
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The initiative builds on the success of an earlier operation in July 2025 under Operation MED-MAX, when the NCB, with the help of the US DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), AFP (Australian Federal Police) and other foreign drug agencies, dismantled a highly sophisticated transnational drug smuggling syndicate operating in Asia, North America, Europe and Australia.
The operation was conducted based on input jointly developed by the US DEA and NCB of India . This case, which stemmed from the seizure of 3.7 kg of tramadol tablets in India, exposed an organized network that was abusing digital platforms for illegal business.
Investigation revealed that the syndicate operated a call center in Udupi, Karnataka that processed global orders through a leading online B2B platform. Pharmaceutical drugs regulated under the NDPS Act were listed online and customers were contacted directly for supply without any legitimate documentation.
Payments were routed through cryptocurrencies, PayPal and other remittance channels, while international couriers were used for last-mile delivery. Coordinated efforts with global partners resulted in multiple arrests, the identification of the UAE-based monarch, and enforcement action abroad, including the seizure and dismantling of clandestine facilities.
What is a WIPE operation?
“Based on these findings, Operation WIPE focuses on proactive surface network monitoring to detect and disrupt similar illicit activities. The operation is supported by intelligence inputs from the International Narcotics Control Board’s Scanning Novel Opioids on Online Platforms (SNOOP) program,” the agency said in a statement.
The NCB is a central law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India.
Operation WIPE represents a strategic shift from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention, where illegal listings are detected and removed before they translate into actual trading. This approach strengthens India’s ability to combat drug networks operating in both the physical and digital domains.
“This initiative reflects the Government of India’s zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics and its unwavering commitment to disrupt drug-trafficking networks. The NCB remains steadfast in its mission to protect society from the menace of drugs,” the statement said.
122 cases involving 62 substances
As part of this initiative, the NCB identified 122 cases involving 62 substances, including commonly abused drugs such as Clonazepam, Diazepam and Fentanyl. Of these, 58 substances fall under the NDPS Act, while four are classified as controlled substances.
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The NCB issued a formal notice to the affected online platforms and ordered them to take immediate measures to prevent misuse of their services, it said. “A comprehensive list of NDPS regulated substances has also been shared to enable proactive identification and removal of such lists. After verification, platforms like India MART, Tradeindia and Dial4Trade have taken corrective action, including removal of flagged products and suspension of suspect sellers,” it said in a statement issued on April 26.
NCB technical teams continue to monitor the surface network using advanced tools and international intelligence inputs to identify emerging threats and ensure early intervention, officials said.
Narcotics Helpline 1933 toll free
Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious listings or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or controlled drugs on online marketplaces, social media platforms or websites, the NCB said.
This initiative reflects the Government of India’s zero tolerance policy towards narcotics and its unwavering determination to dismantle the networks of drug smugglers.
Information regarding these illegal online activities can be shared through MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline (toll free number 1933). Specific details such as links, screenshots, seller information or transaction modes can greatly assist law enforcement agencies in taking swift action, the NCB said.
“The identity of whistleblowers is strictly confidential,” it said.
Key things
- Operation WIPE aims to prevent the abuse of online platforms to sell regulated pharmaceuticals.
- The initiative is a strategic shift from reactive enforcement to proactive monitoring of illegal activities.
- Citizens play a key role in reporting suspicious online drug sales, making the community safer.
