New Delhi, June 15: The Ministry of Finance’s Revenue Department has taken a significant step by notifying 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone as a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
According to the government, this chemical has been increasingly used in the production of psychoactive substances like Mephedrone, prompting its inclusion in the control list.
Now, all individuals and companies involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, storage, import-export, or use of this substance must register with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Entities must apply using Form A and submit Form B to their respective NCB zonal director. The deadline for applications is set for August 7, allowing for registration to be completed within the 180-day statutory period.
The government has also directed that all manufacturers, traders, importers, exporters, and users holding stock of this chemical must submit stock details to the NCB in Form X by July 10, with a deadline of June 30 for reporting.
The notification clarifies that any individual or entity found engaging in activities related to this substance without compliance after September 7 will face strict punitive action under Section 25A of the NDPS Act of 1985.
The NCB has stated that all procedures, required forms, and information about zonal units are available on its portal. This government initiative is seen as a crucial move to curb the production of illegal narcotics.
It is noteworthy that this chemical was previously not under the NDPS law, allowing for rampant sales and misuse in the open market. The government has now classified it as a controlled substance under the NDPS Act, ensuring oversight on its purchase, sale, and storage.
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