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.
In response to a rise in dark web dealings, particularly drug-related, Kerala Police has intensified cyber patrolling. A dedicated wing within the state’s Cyber Dome has been deployed exclusively to monitor dark web transactions. Since 2020, 2easy has sold massive stealer logs with sensitive data like passwords, bank cards, and initial access credentials. It supports operations in multiple languages and operates on both clearnet and Tor. What made Ketamelon’s enterprise particularly difficult to trace was the hybrid approach Babu adopted.
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Investigations revealed he had a deep understanding of darknet culture, advanced digital security, and international drug sourcing. His primary supplier was a UK-based darknet dealer known as “Gunga Din,” believed to be part of a global LSD smuggling ring. On the surface, Edison Babu seemed like any other well-educated professional from Kerala—a mechanical engineer, a family man, and a mild-mannered resident of Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district.
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As terrible as its reputation may be, some vendors sell legitimate goods or services. Some customers even use the dark web to make anonymous purchases, especially in areas where privacy is a huge concern. So, not everyone who shops there is looking for something illegal.
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. Exodus Marketplace started to become popular after the shutdown of Genesis Market, and it replaced it successfully. It claims to control more than 7,000 bots from 190+ countries, with data prices ranging from $3 to $10, based on the quality it offers.
The marketplace has a simple interface, lets users filter logs easily, and accepts Bitcoin, Monero, and Litecoin for payments. Now that you understand what the dark web is all about, you might wonder why other people do things on it. Darknet marketplaces like to exist on the dark web because it offers a service that the regular internet, or more accurately, the “surface web,” does not. 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.
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The name of this particular syndicate is derived from the vendor’s early involvement in Ketamine smuggling, as per the agency. As dark web crimes grow in scale and complexity, experts warn that India needs to invest more in digital forensics, inter-agency coordination, and public awareness campaigns to keep the internet safe. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments.
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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. LSD is odourless, colourless and tasteless and can be painted onto small squares of paper that people lick or swallow and it alters the sense of space, distance and time. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a hallucinogenic drug which chemically acts to change the way people sense the world around them. 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.
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He had kept his activities hidden even from his wife and maintained a quiet, introverted life in the neighbourhood,” said an NCB official. In the same duration, 1025 cases involving parcels or couriers were reported. At the center of the case is Edison Babu, a mechanical engineer from Muvattupuzha, a town in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. Edison, who had earlier worked in Bengaluru and Pune before returning to his hometown, reportedly turned to the dark web two years ago after facing financial struggles. The NCB also urged citizens to report any narcotics-related activity by calling the MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline at 1933, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
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.
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- And when it comes to paying, the site sticks to Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR) to keep transactions private.
- Analyze the market sentiments & identify the trend reversal for strategic decisions.
- In recent years, NCB officials have observed that each consignment of LSD — a psychedelic drug — bears the imprint (name or symbol) of the main supplier.
- According to investigators, Ketamelon derived its name from its early operations involving ketamine smuggling.
With it, they can spy on people, steal their sensitive data, or secretly control their devices. These software are also capable of launching DDoS attacks and phishing campaigns. On the dark web, you don’t need to be a technical expert to design ransomware, and that’s dangerous.
Kerala Police’s Cyber Battle Plan
A Canadian market established in 2021, WTN offers over 9,000 products, including narcotics, fake goods, and digital services. It operates in both French and English and has built a reputation for ease-of-use. The LSD blots (a small piece of absorbent paper impregnated with lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD) seized by NCB sleuths bore the imprint Gunga Din and Rudyard Kipling. In recent years, NCB officials have observed that each consignment of LSD — a psychedelic drug — bears the imprint (name or symbol) of the main supplier. A key addition to this strategy is “Grapnel”, an AI-based software tool designed to track activities on the dark web in real time. Grapnel scans and indexes hidden websites and forums, flagging potential threats such as drug sales, child exploitation content, counterfeit currency, and hacking services.
Ketamelon: Inside India’s Top Darknet Drug Syndicate Busted By NCB
As long as people want to buy and sell illegal stuff online, be it stolen data, narcotics, drugs, or malware, these markets will keep resurfacing, no matter how many times authorities take them down. To deal with the growing issue of drug trafficking through digital means, the Centre has established a Special Task Force on Darknet and cryptocurrency. This task force will specifically monitor suspicious transactions involving drugs conducted on the darknet. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India’s primary agency for drug law enforcement, is at the forefront of this initiative. The Narcotics Control Bureau has achieved a major breakthrough by dismantling India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicate operating under the alias “Ketamelon”, officials said on Tuesday.
According to NCB investigations, Babu had quietly established a digital-first narcotics business. Under the identity “Ketamelon,” he received orders on numerous darknet markets, communicated encryptedly, and shipped drugs via India’s postal and courier networks. The arrest of Edison Babu is a testament to the effectiveness of the NCB’s efforts in dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks. It highlights the necessity for international cooperation and the use of advanced tools to track and apprehend criminals operating on the dark web. The first category includes classic marketplaces, which serve as one-stop shops for a wide range of illegal goods.
