Amazon Executives Charged with Drug Offenses in India

Police in India announced in a press briefing they had charged top executives of Amazon.com‘s Indian division with violating narcotics laws in an alleged marijuana smuggling case connected to the online retailer.

Two men arrested on Nov 14 for smuggling marijuana in Madhya Pradesh had been using the Amazon India website to order and ship the substances to other parts of India under the guise of stevia leaves, a natural sweetener.

As a result of differences in answers given by the company to police questions and facts uncovered by discussion, the state police have named executive directors of Amazon India as suspected conspirators under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The number of executives charged was not disclosed.

According to the police, who had previously summoned and spoken to Amazon executives about the case, approximately 1,000 kg of marijuana, worth roughly $148,000 (S$201,000), was sold on Amazon.

The e-commerce giant said in a statement that it does not allow sellers to list and sell illegal products, adding that it takes stern action against violators.

According to Amazon, the alleged marijuana smuggling was notified to them and they are investigating it.

In recent years, the Indian authorities have intensified their crackdown on illicit drugs. Since last year, narcotics officials have been scrutinizing many high-profile Indian actors and TV personalities.