Pharma company, its employees convicted for ‘illegal diversion” of meth precursor abroad

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Monday said it has secured a “major conviction” in the case of illegal diversion of medical drugs involving a Haryana-based company via Gujarat’s Pipavav Port.

According to the NCB, three persons and a corporate entity were convicted, fined and/or sentenced to prison in the case.

The NCB statement said, “In a significant breakthrough against diversion of pharmaceutical precursors used in illicit drug manufacturing, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured conviction in a major case involving M/s Alps Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Sonipat, Haryana, and its senior functionaries. The case was investigated by the NCB Ahmedabad Zonal Unit and pertains to diversion of pseudoephedrine, a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.”

The statement added, “Based on specific intelligence received in March 2023, NCB intercepted a container at Pipavav Port, Gujarat, which was destined for export to Africa. The consignment, originating from ICD Panchi, Sonipat, consisted of approximately 60 lakh pharmaceutical capsules declared as containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine.”

It added, “During investigation, it was revealed that the consignment included three products—ALPCIT, COLDFIT and T-DOL. While ALPCIT legitimately contained pseudoephedrine, the other two products were falsely declared as containing the controlled substance. Further investigation established that approximately 6 kg of pseudoephedrine, purportedly shown as consumed in the manufacture of COLDFIT and T-DOL, had in fact been clandestinely diverted.”

Pseudoephedrine is a critical precursor used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance posing serious threats to public health and national security.

The NCB said the “investigation revealed deliberate falsification of manufacturing and export records and active involvement of senior company officials. The accused arrested in the case were Sumit Kumar, Managing Director, Sumit Kumar, Store In-charge, and Dhanesh Chamoli, Authorized Chief Chemist-cum-Production Manager. The company, M/s Alps Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., was also arraigned as an accused.”

The case was registered under Sections 9A read with 25A, 26, 29, 35 and 38 of the NDPS Act, 1985, and relevant provisions of the NDPS (Regulation of Controlled Substances) Order, 2013.

During the course of investigation and trial, the accused sought bail from various judicial fora, including the Supreme Court of India. However, considering the seriousness of the offence, the transnational ramifications of precursor diversion, and the strong evidentiary foundation laid by NCB, the bail pleas were not accepted, underscoring the gravity of the crime, the NCB said.

The complaint against the accused persons and the company was filed before the Court at Savarkundla in Amreli, Gujarat, on November 24, 2023. After detailed trial, the Court, vide judgment dated January 12, 2026, convicted all three accused and sentenced them to seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs1.5 lakh each. The company, M/s Alps Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., was also convicted and fined Rs 1.5 lakh.