Government sets up committee to regulate Internet-based drug trade

NEW DELHI: Even as a raging controversy brews over monitoring Internet content in the country, government has recently constituted a high-level committee to put in place "regulatory and legislative" measures to check online pharmacies trading in banned drugs.

Termed by anti-narcotic sleuths as one of the most "lethal and clever modus operandi" used by drug traffickers to smuggle psychotropic substances in and out of the country, the government has now woken up to the threat posed by 'Internet pharmacies' and has set up a committee under the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to firm up country's action against the illegal online trade.

The clandestine business, according to top sources, also begets blackmoney and finances criminal activities.

The committee is a part of the new drugs policy unveiled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday.

The committee will also consider to establish "cyber patrol units" to intercept syndicates and individuals indulging in such criminal activities over the Internet.

The NCB Director led committee, set up to look "into the whole gamut of issues pertaining to Internet pharmacies, will recommend to put in place regulatory, administrative and legislative measures to control Internet pharmacies and seek active cooperation of Internet service providers" in this regard.

It will not only mull to introduce legislation for routing and inspection of international mail (containing contraband couriers) but will also seek cooperation and exchange of information with other enforcement agencies like CBI, DRI and ED, within the country.