NCB Tightens Vigil on Vapi Chemical Industry to Curb Synthetic Drug Threat

VAPI : In a strong push to choke the rising supply chain of synthetic drugs, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has issued a voluntary code of conduct for chemical and pharmaceutical industries in Vapi, warning that unchecked movement of precursor chemicals could be exploited by drug networks to manufacture illegal substances.

The move comes amid growing concerns that industrial chemicals produced in the region may be diverted under the guise of legitimate trade and used in the production of MD drugs. With Vapi being one of Gujarat’s major chemical hubs, authorities fear it could become a soft target for drug mafias if strict safeguards are not adopted by the industry.

At an outreach programme organised at the Vapi Industries Association, NCB Deputy Director General Manish Kumar stressed that enforcement action alone is not enough to tackle the expanding threat of synthetic drugs.

“Strict legal provisions and enforcement by agencies are not sufficient. A strong public-private partnership between the chemical industry and the administration is essential to break the supply chain,” he said.

The voluntary guidelines issued to industrialists and transporters focus on strengthening internal vigilance systems and improving buyer verification mechanisms. Companies have been urged to carefully scrutinise suspicious orders, especially when unusually high prices are offered, bulk quantities are demanded, or cash-based transactions are involved.

Industries have also been advised to verify the end use of chemicals, particularly when dealing with new customers, and to maintain strict records of how and where materials are being utilised.

“Industrial chemicals legally manufactured for legitimate use are being misused in the production of synthetic drugs. It is crucial to ensure proper verification of buyers and strengthen internal audits to prevent diversion,” an NCB official noted.

The code further recommends closer monitoring of supply chains to ensure that no precursor chemicals are diverted at any stage of transport or storage.

Officials emphasised that the fight against synthetic drugs is not only a law enforcement challenge but also a shared responsibility of industry stakeholders. They urged companies to act as the first line of defence by identifying red flags early and reporting suspicious activity.