Companies in the chemical or related industries can submit Chemical Suspicious Activity Reports (CSARs) to alert UK law enforcement to the potential purchase or theft of chemicals that may be used to manufacture illegal drugs.

The Chemical Control Team within the NCA receives CSARs and disseminates the intelligence to the appropriate organisation to action.

Reporting suspicious orders or enquiries

CSARs contribute intelligence to law enforcement operations, identify reckless or deliberate acts of chemical diversion and help initiate investigations into previously unknown criminals or organisations.

Any suspicious activity such as unusual orders or transactions which suggest that chemicals might be used to manufacture illegal drugs must be reported.

To submit a CSAR please complete a chemical suspicious activity report form ( 92 KB ) and email it to our Chemical Control Team: cct@nca.gov.uk.

Please Note: the CSAR form is for use in the reporting of suspicious activity around chemicals and equipment only. If you wish to report a crime, please contact the police on either 999 or 101. 

The team will acknowledge receipt of individual CSARs. In some instances, a follow-up clarification call or email may be required. 

Confidentiality of CSARs

We take confidentiality extremely seriously and any communication with us will be secure. 

CSARs are confidential and the identity of the individual or organisation making a CSAR will not be disclosed to the subject of the report.

Drugs precursor chemicals licensing and registration

Please refer to the Home Office Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit webpage (Precursor chemical licensing - GOV.UK) for further details.

Here you can find the guidance for applicants, including the current list of chemicals scheduled under the legislation, handy quick reference charts detailing domestic licence and registration requirements, import/export conditions, and links to the relevant legislation.

Compliance with the conditions of holding a drugs precursor chemical licence and/or registration

Please be aware that illicit drug production involving potent chemicals carries significant risks such as fires, explosions, release of toxic gasses and environmental damage from the disposal of chemical waste.    

Reporting suspicious activity is a legal obligation and a condition of holding a licence and/or registration. Failure to do so could result in a fine and/or custodial sentence. (see Regulation 7 of The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Intra-Community Trade) Regulations 2008).

If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the CCT, or for licensing matters the DFLU.