He reportedly used TAILS OS (a security-focused operating system that leaves no digital footprint), encrypted storage devices, cryptocurrency wallets, and multiple email aliases to cover his tracks. Authorities estimate that the syndicate carried out over 700 transactions, with street values running into ₹5 to ₹10 crore. The operation came to light after NCB intercepted three suspicious packages in Kochi on June 28. A subsequent raid on Edison’s residence uncovered 1,127 LSD blotters, 131 grams of Ketamine, and cryptocurrency wallets holding about ₹70 lakh.
- The arrest of Edison Babu is a testament to the effectiveness of the NCB’s efforts in dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks.
- This cartel comprises young educated men in the age bracket of years…various web series on OTT platforms inspired their mode of operations.
- They engage in financial crime and sell other people’s stolen personal information, since they’re under the veil of anonymity.
- Whether you want some pharmaceutical products (drugs) or digital items, you will probably find the products here, and that too at affordable prices.
- Perhaps most shocking to the community was the revelation that Edison Babu had maintained an utterly normal family life.
- The bust highlights the growing sophistication of tech-enabled drug networks and the need for advanced cyber surveillance and inter-agency coordination.
Drug Trafficking In The Country
Stick to cryptocurrency, avoid downloading anything, and don’t share any personal info. It’s been a constant back-and-forth between cybercriminals and law enforcement, with each new site trying to be smarter and more secure than the last. In 2019, there were approximately 8,400 active sites on the dark web, selling thousands of products and services daily. For instance, cybercriminals can buy credit card details with a $5,000 balance for just $110.
Since 2020, India Has Recorded 92 Cases Involving The Use Of The Darknet And Cryptocurrencies For Drug Transactions
WeTheNorth has a strong community vibe, with an active forum where users interact and share updates. Of course, not all the popular and widely-used dark web sites and things like marketplaces on the dark net are illegal. Some use them due to privacy concerns, such as journalists talking to informants or whistleblowers, while others may simply want to protect their confidential information from observation or tracking. Nevertheless, most people on the internet do not need to communicate or venture into the dark web. Imagine an underground version of your favorite online marketplace, somewhere hidden, exclusive, and often operating outside legal boundaries.
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Authorities seized substantial amounts of drugs and cryptocurrency, revealing the sophistication of digital drug dealing and the challenges in combating it. Beyond its immediate implications on crime and law enforcement, this incident poses important questions for cryptocurrency regulation and the ongoing debate around privacy. While digital privacy is a right deserving strong protection, its potential misuse to shield illegal activity presents a formidable challenge.
Pan-India Raid Shuts 3 Drug Markets On Darknet
Breaking down the figures, the NCB reported three cases in 2020, 49 in 2021, eight in 2022, 21 in 2023, and 11 cases up until April 2024. However, the data does not specify the exact number of cases that were exclusively related to the darknet or cryptocurrency. LSD is an odourless, colourless and tasteless drug and the person consuming it can lose the sense of time, distance and space, the agency said. The NCB’s investigation began after intercepting 280 LSD blots from three postal parcels in Cochin on June 28, 2025. Taking the lead forward, it was investigated that the parcels were booked by a suspect, leading to a search of his residence on June 29.
According to the NCB, the drugs were allegedly sourced from ‘Gunga Din’, a UK-based supplier linked to Dr Seuss aka DS or Tribe Seuss, the world’s largest LSD distributor. NCB sources revealed that the accused operated under the alias ‘Ketamelon’, identified as India’s only Level 4 vendor on the darknet — a status awarded based on the quality of drugs sold and customer satisfaction. Investigators also found evidence of custodial wallets on global platforms like Binance, which are now under scrutiny. All three parcels were traced back to the prime accused in Muvattupuzha. A swift follow-up search at his residence the next day unearthed 847 more LSD blots and over 130 grams of Ketamine — together valued at Rs 35.12 lakh. The operation was set in motion on June 28 when officers intercepted 280 LSD blots from three international parcels at the Kochi International Post Office.
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The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted the country’s largest darknet-based Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) smuggling syndicate named “Zambada cartel” with the arrest of three accused persons. This is the second such detection by the agency in the recent past. After that, many other marketplaces kept trying to take its place and become the top dark web market.
There’s also a premium account option for users who want extra benefits. And when it comes to paying, the site sticks to Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR) to keep transactions private. Understandably, as in the case with most illicit trade markets, you don’t even need to verify your email Awazon. Now, that is not to say illegal behavior is completely beyond detection.
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is about ₹35.12 lakh with LSD blots being priced in a range of ₹2,500-₹ 4,000 each, as per the statement. The NCB suspects that over the last 14 months, it delivered 600 shipments. Two persons linked to the syndicate have been arrested till now, the agency confirmed. The bust has not only revealed the vast scale of online narcotics trading in India but also raised urgent concerns about the security challenges posed by the hidden corners of the internet.
Cypher Marketplace
Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. On darknet platforms, drug syndicates are rated between 1 and 5 stars based on the potency of their products and customer service. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), commonly known as acid or blots, is a powerful hallucinogen that distorts perceptions of time, space, and senses.
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These marketplaces are full of risks (security, legal, ethical issues – all of them). But if you still decide to access these websites, for education or research purposes, make sure you stay cautious. Monero, the cryptocurrency of choice for this syndicate, boasts robust privacy features that obscure the sender, recipient, and amount of each transaction. These attributes make Monero a favored currency among those wishing to operate away from the prying eyes of authorities. This came a day after Punjab Police seized a huge amount of drugs in a major operation to crackdown on cross-border narcotics smuggling.
That’s why it has such a foreboding and even dangerous reputation. It is used by many for buying or selling items that are prohibited on the regular internet, like fake IDs, illegal drugs, and stolen data. Operation MELON represents a significant and timely success in India’s fight against darknet-facilitated drug trafficking. The bust of “Ketamelon”—a Level 4 darknet vendor—underscores the evolving sophistication of narcotics syndicates, combining tech-savvy concealment with global supply chains. “This was (Ketamelon) one of India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicates. The agency launched an operation codenamed ‘Melon’ to investigate it after getting primary inputs from the Cochin seizure,” an NCB statement said.
- A supplier based in Jaipur and a man from Kerala have also been arrested, he said.
- There’s also a privacy angle—some users live in countries with censorship or surveillance, and the dark web gives them a space to communicate or access information more freely.
- Just as there are new entrants, the dark web has its veteran markets too, and Brian’s Club is one such market.
- It’s known for its strong security features (like a trusted escrow system, PGP two-factor authentication) and anonymity.
Over the past 14 months, more than 600 drug consignments were delivered to major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Custodial wallets on cryptocurrency platforms such as Binance have also been traced for further action. Its origins can be traced back to the 1990s, through research funded by the United States Department of Defense.
