India, March 13 -- On Wednesday, the Centre issued a notification under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to amend the NDPS (Regulation of Controlled Substances) Order, 2013 and add the chemical 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone to its list of controlled substances.

Officials aware of the matter said that the chemical 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone was added to the list because drug cartels across the country are using the precursor chemical to manufacture mephedrone-a synthetic stimulant drug also known as meow meow and drone in the market. An official aware of the matter, said that earlier this year, the agencies had also written to the government about the chemical's rampant use in drug laboratories.

Over the last f...