Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Anurag Garg on Tuesday, 16 June launched a Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC) for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry at a conference in Ahmedabad, aimed at preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals for the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs. The move signals a deliberate shift in India's anti-drug strategy — from pure enforcement to industry co-option.

What the Voluntary Code of Conduct covers

The VCC is a guidance framework designed to promote responsible chemical stewardship, reinforce supply-chain integrity, and enable early detection and reporting of suspicious transactions. Crucially, the Code extends beyond chemicals already notified as controlled substances under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) framework — it also covers chemicals that carry potential for misuse in the manufacture of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances.

Garg urged manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, transporters, and traders to voluntarily adopt the VCC's guidance and bolster internal compliance systems, customer-verification procedures, transaction monitoring mechanisms, and record-keeping practices.

Why enforcement alone is not enough

Addressing the conference, Garg stressed that while enforcement agencies play a critical role in interdiction and investigation, the fight against synthetic drugs cannot be won through law enforcement action alone. He noted that industry participants — by virtue of their position in the supply chain — are uniquely placed to spot suspicious orders, unusual procurement patterns, abnormal consumption trends, and attempts to conceal end-use information.

NCB and Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) officers briefed participants on the rapidly evolving synthetic drug landscape and the increasing misuse of precursor and essential chemicals by drug trafficking syndicates. They underscored how criminal networks continuously seek alternative and substitute precursor substances to evade regulatory controls — making industry vigilance an essential pillar of India's counter-narcotics strategy.

Who attended and what they said

The conference drew more than 250 participants, including senior officers from the NCB and CBN, and representatives of major industry associations and leading chemical and pharmaceutical companies. Among those present were Satish Waman Wagh (CHEMEXCIL Chairman), Jaimin R. Vasa (Gujarat Chemical Association President), Bhalchandrasinh Raorane (Federation of Industries of India Chairman), Chanakya Contractor (Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chemical Committee Chairman), Viranchi Shah (PHARMEXCIL Representative), and Haresh Gopalbhai Patel (Ankleshwar Industries Association Past Honorary General Secretary).

Industry representatives welcomed the initiative and shared best practices on chemical stewardship, supply-chain security, customer due diligence, and voluntary self-regulation. Participants acknowledged that safeguarding legitimate chemical supply chains is a shared responsibility and expressed commitment to supporting the Code's objectives.

What the NCB wants industry to do next

Garg specifically encouraged stakeholders to promptly share intelligence with the NCB on suspicious enquiries, unusual transactions, attempts to procure chemicals without legitimate business justification, or any activity indicating possible diversion for illicit drug manufacture. The Code also calls for a proactive approach to identifying and reporting emerging diversion risks — not merely reacting to known threats. The initiative represents one of the more structured public-private frameworks India has attempted in the precursor-chemical space, and its uptake across Gujarat's dense chemical corridor will be closely watched.