Operation WIPE: Combating Digital Drug Trafficking with Precision

Operation WIPE, launched by India's Narcotics Control Bureau, aims to curtail online drug trafficking. Focused on monitoring and disrupting illicit activities on digital platforms, it builds on the success of past operations. The initiative encourages citizen involvement, ensuring enhanced drug network disruption.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has initiated "Operation WIPE," a strategic effort to combat the growing menace of online drug trafficking. This operation, termed Web-based Illicit Activities Prevention & Enforcement, aims at preventing the illegal sale of pharmaceutical drugs on digital platforms under the NDPS Act's regulations.

Operation WIPE follows the successful dismantling of a sophisticated transnational drug trafficking network in July 2025, under "Operation MED-MAX," conducted in collaboration with global agencies including the US DEA and AFP. This previous operation originated from the seizure of 3.7 kg of tramadol in India, uncovering a call centre in Karnataka facilitating global drug orders.

Supported by intelligence from the International Narcotics Control Board's SNOOP programme, the initiative has identified 122 instances of online drug activity. The NCB has issued notices to online platforms, urging immediate action to mitigate misuse. Platforms like IndiaMART and Tradeindia have responded by removing flagged listings. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities through the MANAS helpline.