On July 2, 2025, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced a breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on darknet-based drug trafficking. Under Operation MELON, the NCB’s Kochi Zonal Unit arrested a Kerala-based individual known online as Ketamelon, identified as India’s only “Level 4” darknet vendor—the highest rating for India’s clandestine online drug suppliers. Experts emphasize that the anonymity features of cryptocurrencies, particularly Monero’s, continue to pose significant challenges for law enforcement. While the seizure of cryptocurrency in this case did not disrupt the market, it underscores the need for continuous innovation in monitoring and enforcement strategies. The NCB’s success in apprehending Edison serves as a reminder of the importance of coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and the use of advanced investigative techniques to combat tech-driven criminal activity.
In a significant crackdown against darknet-enabled narcotics trade, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted India’s top-ranked darknet drug vendor operating under the alias “Ketamelon”. “Ketamelon” had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were reportedly shipped by Ketamelon. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹35.12 lakhs, with LSD blots priced at ₹2,500–₹4,000 each. Known for its publicity stunt releasing millions of stolen card details for free, BidenCash specializes in credit card fraud and identity theft. Launched in 2020, Cypher Marketplace sells fraudulent documents, stolen credit cards, fake IDs, and malware.
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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. Ransomware and cryptocurrency-based crimes saw a significant increase in 2023, with a nearly $176 million rise compared to 2022. The second category consists of data stores, which specialize in stolen information. In 2023, the dark web attracted an average of 2.7 million daily users, with Germany now leading as the country with the highest number of Tor users, surpassing the United States for the first time in years. “This seizure highlights the deep web’s evolving threat and the NCB’s enhanced cyber and financial surveillance capabilities,” the officer said.
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The aim was to develop an encrypted communication network for intelligence operatives. This initiative evolved into the Tor network, now used globally—for both legitimate and illegal activities. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is about Rs 35.12 lakh with LSD blots being priced in a range of Rs 2,500-Rs 4,000 each, as per the statement. Some custodial wallets on crypto platforms like Binance have been identified for further investigation, it said. Two persons linked to the syndicate have been arrested till now, the agency said. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at ₹2,500- ₹4,000 each,” the officer added.
Even people with little to no knowledge can buy ready-made ransomware and launch attacks on their victims. If for any reason, you decide to visit these hidden corners of the web, ensure you at least study and understand the common traps. Getting familiar with the tactics scammers use will go a long way in helping you protect your online data and assets. Too-good-to-be-true investment offers are another classic scam on the dark web. Early participants may see some profit, but that money usually comes from new victims, not actual earnings. Eventually, the system collapses, and most people lose their entire investment.
Apart from the dark web markets that are operating online today, some raided platforms influenced many markets. Some are looking for illegal stuff they can’t buy elsewhere, like drugs or counterfeit documents. These sites cater to cybercriminals seeking valuable data, such as credit card numbers, login credentials, and personal information. “Among the material seized were multiple cryptocurrency wallets, hard disks with incriminating documents and a hardware wallet containing USDT cryptocurrency valued at Rs 70 lakh,” the official said.
Operating through encrypted channels, the Ketamelon network had delivered over 600 shipments to cities across India, including Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Bhopal, Patna, remote regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Drugs were primarily sourced from a UK-based vendor Gunga Din, a known reshipper of the globally infamous Dr Seuss (aka DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world. The U.S. derivatives regulator issued a “reminder” that foreign crypto firms registered with the CFTC as FBOTs can directly handle U.S. customers. The data did not provide a distinction between how many of the 92 cases were solely dark net related and how many were solely crypto related in terms of methods of transactions. To assist in this mission for a drug-free India, NCB has requested public cooperation. Citizens can report narcotic-related information by calling the toll-free MANAS National Narcotics Helpline at 1933.
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Shah said the success was a result of a “great coordination between cyber vigilance and human intelligence…As the darknet and cryptocurrencies were used to trade these drugs”. You can use dark web monitoring tools, such as NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor, to check if your data has been leaked. These tools scan dark web forums and marketplaces for any signs of your compromised credentials. There is no need to visit darknet marketplaces yourself to know whether your data was leaked. If you think the Dark web marketplaces are just online shops, you’re wrong — these sites are the actual weapon stores for criminals.
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Regulators and financial technology experts must navigate these stormy waters carefully, balancing privacy concerns with security imperatives. Edison’s operations were highly sophisticated, involving the use of advanced encryption tools and Monero’s privacy features to evade detection. He placed orders for large quantities of LSD on the darknet, using fake addresses and SIM cards to avoid arrest. Once the drugs arrived, he would directly approach the courier office to receive the parcel.
Torzon Market
These markets are dangerous anyway and shouldn’t be accessed even if they’ve onion addresses. The marketplace supports multiple payment methods, including Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Cryptocheck. They add new batches of stolen data every other week, and there’s even a bidding system where buyers can place offers on new data batches as soon as they become available. You can even find things such as BIN checkers and PayPal cookie converters. Another reason the Russian Market is so popular is that it’s pretty inexpensive compared to other dark web marketplaces.
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Later, in 2013, Silk Road caught the attention of law enforcement and policymakers like US Senator Charles Schumer, who publicly called for a federal crackdown. That push led to the arrest of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, after a long and intense investigation. They sell these files for just a fraction of the original cost on the surface web or even share freely, which makes them tempting for people looking for shortcuts. While it might be tempting, remember that downloading such content has serious legal and cybersecurity risks.
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Imagine trusting a site where you’ve been buying or selling for months, and everything seems legit. Some marketplace operators first build trust by running a legitimate platform. If you take a quick look through darknet marketplaces, you’ll instantly notice an overwhelming supply of pirated content. We’re talking about even early access to unreleased music, leaked TV episodes, concert footage, and even popular video games before they officially drop.
- LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide is a synthetic chemical based-drug and is categorised as a hallucinogen.
- On July 2, 2025, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced a breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on darknet-based drug trafficking.
- On darknet platforms, drug syndicates are rated between 1 and 5 stars based on the potency of their products and customer service.
- The buyers, or “consumers,” are cybercriminals who use these tools to launch illegal activities.
- All three parcels were traced back to the prime accused in Muvattupuzha.
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In the same period, 1,025 incidents involving parcels or couriers used for drug trafficking were also documented. This highlights the diverse methods being employed by traffickers to distribute illegal substances. The NCB has been closely tracking cryptocurrency payments linked to the purchase of narcotics as part of its broader strategy to curb drug trafficking in the country. “Ketamelon” was India’s Level 4 darknet vendor, which had been operating in the country for over two years. It had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities across India, with an estimated 600 shipments delivered in 14 months.
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi). The NCB officer said that the arrested individual had established a sophisticated system of sourcing, distribution and payment via cryptocurrency. Despite these safeguards, investigators were able to map and analyze on-chain activities, demonstrating that blockchain openness, when combined with industry collaboration, can shatter the illusion of anonymity. Rai also said along with other prevention methods, a special task force has been constituted to monitor such suspicious transactions related to drugs.
