New Delhi
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has launched a nationwide operation called ‘Operation WIPE’ against the growing menace of online drug trafficking, the agency said in a statement on Sunday. This represents a proactive shift to detect illicit activities on digital platforms before drug trafficking.
The agency issued notices to various online platforms over their misuse, following which the platforms suspended the alleged sellers, the statement said.
Operation WIPE (Unlawful Web Activities Prevention and Enforcement) targets the misuse of online marketplaces and communication platforms for the illegal sale and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs regulated under the NDPS Act.
The operation was launched against the backdrop of a major crackdown carried out in July 2025 under Operation MED-MAX, in which the National Central Bureau dismantled a transnational drug trafficking gang operating across multiple continents with the support of international agencies. The network, which was uncovered after 3.7 kg of Tramadol tablets were confiscated in India, was found to be exploiting digital platforms to conduct illicit trade.
The NCB said its investigation revealed that the syndicate was running a call center in Udupi, Karnataka state, to handle global orders through a prominent business platform. “The pharmaceutical drugs were listed online and were supplied without legitimate documentation, with payments being routed through cryptocurrencies and other channels,” an ECB spokesperson said, adding that international forwarding companies were used for delivery.
WIPE focuses on identifying and disrupting these networks at an early stage through surface network monitoring using advanced tools and international intelligence inputs, including support from the International Narcotics Control Board’s SNOOP programme. SNOOP helps governments detect online drug trafficking.
To date, the National Drug Control Office has reported 122 cases involving 62 substances, including commonly abused drugs such as clonazepam, diazepam and fentanyl. Of these substances, 58 of them fall under the NDPS Act, while four of them are classified as controlled substances.
The agency issued notices to several online platforms, directing them to take immediate corrective action. “A comprehensive list of regulated substances has been shared with these platforms to enable proactive identification and removal of illegal listings,” the statement said.
Platforms like IndiaMART, TradeIndia and Dial4Trade have already removed flagged products and suspended suspicious sellers after verification, the officials added.
The NCB said its technical teams will continue to monitor online activity to identify emerging threats and ensure timely intervention. “Operation WIPE represents a strategic shift from reactive enforcement to preventive measures, where illegal listings are detected and removed before they translate into actual trafficking,” the spokesperson said.
