When contacted, Amazon India said that it is currently investigating the issue.
Traders’ body CAIT on Wednesday said it has approached the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seeking a probe into the alleged use of e-commerce major Amazon’s platform for sourcing marijuana.
When contacted, Amazon India said that it is currently investigating the issue.
“The issue was reported to us and we are currently investigating whether there is any non-compliance on the part of the seller. We assure full cooperation and support to the investigating officers and law enforcement agencies in the ongoing investigation and ensure full compliance with applicable laws,” said an Amazon India spokesperson.
According to an official, on Saturday, the Bhind police in Madhya Pradesh busted an online marijuana sale racket, leading to the arrest of two people and the seizure of 20 kg of the banned substance.
According to the official, the accused were operating the racket through a leading e-commerce firm, which used to get two-thirds of the profit earned.
The official said that evidence is being collected to see if the prosecution can be made to provide a platform for such drug transactions.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Wednesday sent a letter to the Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, urging it to take immediate cognizance of the matter.
CAIT general secretary Praveen Khandelwal said, “Amazon’s involvement in illegal activities to cause harm to India should not go unnoticed and an investigation should be initiated under the NDPS Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).”
They claimed that Amazon violated Section 20(b) of the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act which states that “Production, Manufacture, Ownership, Sale, Purchase, Transport, Inter-State Import, Inter-State Exports or uses cannabis. Be punishable”
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