India is turning into hub of illegal ephedrine trade, says report

South India is a major centre for trafficking ephedrine to other countries, mainly through the airports of Delhi, Chennai, Kochi and Bengaluru

The annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which examines the global drug control situation and makes recommendations to governments and international organisations, came out on March 5. It covers events of 2017 and reveals facts about the impact of legalisation of cannabis. The report has some interesting data about India and the trade in ephedrine.

Ephedrine is a drug and over-the-counter trade of it is banned in India. Consequently, it is a prized contraband commodity. Overseas, it is used to treat asthma and bronchitis. While controlled dosage eases breathing, its abuse, popularly in the powder form, is