Indian police charged Amazon executives in a narcotics case. The online shopping platform was key in marijuana smuggling disguised as stevia leaves.
Amazon used for marijuana smuggling
The police in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh confiscated over 21 kg of cannabis. The case was reported under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. According to reports, they arrested a person from Gwalior city in addition to the buyer. As per the police, the two men started a firm and registered themselves as vendors on Amazon to start an online business.
They were also supplying cannabis to their customers in Vishakapatnam. They reported that they used Amazon‘s online shopping platform for smuggling cannabis as stevia leaves. Stevia is a common and natural sweetener. The police suspect that about 1,000 kg of cannabis worth about $148,000 was sold using the online platform in the past.
Narcotic laws in India
According to the police statement, as per the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the executive directors of Amazon India are also the accused. This is because of the “differences in answers in documents provided by the company in response to police questions and facts unearthed by discussion”. However, they did not disclose the number of executives charged. Amazon has stated that it does not allow the sale or listing of legally prohibited substances and items. “The issue was notified to us and we are currently investigating it,” informed Amazon India.
India’s anti-narcotics agencies have improved and stepped up their game for cracking down on drug use and abuse. Moreover, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan was in police custody. He was arrested in a drugs bust case on a cruise ship and released on bail after 25 days. Additionally, in the last 18 months, several high-profile personalities were under scrutiny.