On darknet platforms, drug syndicates are rated between 1 and 5 stars based on the potency of their products and customer service. In 2023, the agency dismantled “Zambada,” then considered the largest LSD cartel in India, seizing over 29,000 LSD blots, 472 grams of MDMA, ₹51.38 lakh in cash, and arresting 14 individuals. Subsequent raids at the suspect's residence on June 29 led to the discovery of the remaining drugs and digital evidence.
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EastMojo is a digital news media platform promoting north east India news. Earlier, the NCB, in collaboration with the Navy, had foiled a massive international drug smuggling operation via the Arabian Sea. The drugs brought into Kerala were subsequently distributed by him to various parts of the country. Edison's network would order narcotics from abroad via the darknet and then smuggle them into the country through postal services. He primarily procured drugs from a seller in England known as 'Gumgadin,' indicating his deep connections with international drug syndicates, sources added.
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In a high-stakes operation codenamed “MELON”, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently dismantled India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicate, “Ketamelon”. This seizure exemplifies NCB's commitment to successfully dismantle the supply of synthetic drugs facilitated via the Darknet and cryptocurrency channels to accomplish the vision of DRUG FREE INDIA. Similarly, he used fake IDs and SIM cards sourced from the darknet to send drugs to customers who placed orders through his network.
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One of these vendors is believed to be the world’s largest LSD seller. This is what helped the NCB gather digital evidence against the suspect. Experts say Monero is often used by criminals on the darknet for this very reason. The accused used a type of cryptocurrency called Monero to hide the money he made.
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- The highlight of the operation was the coordination with foreign drug liaison officers, and excellent coordination among various zonal units of the NCB and State police forces for simultaneous operations, the sources said.
- Chemical drugs valued at approximately Rs 32 lakh and cryptocurrency worth Rs 70 lakh were seized from his home.
- 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".
- The NCB affirms its commitment to dismantling synthetic drug networks facilitated via the dark web and cryptocurrencies.
- What shocked investigators even more was his use of Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, to hide the drug money trail.
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Local media reported that Edison was "currently the largest darknet vendor of drugs in India," sourcing narcotics primarily from UK-based vendor "Gunga Din," believed to be the world's largest LSD supplier. Earlier in 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet based LSD cartel named “Zambada”, seizing 29,013 blots of LSD, 472 grams of MDMA & Rs.51.38 Lakh cash and arrested 14 persons out of which main kingpins are under judicial custody.Zambada cartel was the only cartel in the country with 5-star rating of most time in India operating from Delhi NCR. “Ketamelon” had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with over 600 shipments delivered in the last 14 monthsThe estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹35.12 lakhs, with LSD blots priced at ₹2,500-₹4,000 each.
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These statistics were presented in response to parliamentary questions from opposition MP Jose K. Mani, who inquired about the increasing use of technology in drug trafficking activities. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India’s primary agency for drug law enforcement, is at the forefront of this initiative. Despite all these efforts, he eventually left behind just enough digital evidence for investigators to track him down. According to officers, the arrested man kept his real identity hidden by using fake names and digital tools to mask his online activity.
The high-impact operation, codenamed “MELON,” led to significant drug and digital asset seizures, exposing the scale of the network's reach and sophistication. Edison allegedly sourced drugs from global suppliers, laundered proceeds via privacy coin Monero (XMR), and shipped narcotics to cities across India. The suspect had allegedly been operating as the country's only 'Level 4' darknet vendor under the moniker "Ketamelon" for the past two years, according to reports in local media.
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In 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet-based LSD cartel named “Zambada”, and seized 29,013 blots, 472 grams of MDMA and ₹51.38 lakh in cash and arrested 14 people in different operations. In 2023, the NCB had busted the then biggest darknet based LSD cartel named ‘Zambada’, seized 29,013 blots of LSD, 472 gm MDMA, and ₹51.38 lakh in cash, and arrested 14 persons. The Narcotics Control Bureau on Tuesday claimed to have busted the "biggest" darknet-based LSD cartel operating in India with the seizure of more than 13,000 blots and Rs 26 lakh in cash and the arrest of three persons.
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. This task force will specifically monitor suspicious transactions involving drugs conducted on the darknet. To deal with the growing issue of drug trafficking through digital means, the Centre has established a Special Task Force on Darknet and cryptocurrency. During the raid, they seized more than 1,100 LSD blots and around 130 grams of ketamine. The syndicate’s digital drug den operated under the name “Ketamelon”, a nod to its ketamine-rich inventory. The agency’s efforts to disrupt the supply chain of synthetic drugs and cryptocurrency transactions will continue to be a priority in the pursuit of a ‘Drug-Free India’ as envisioned by the central government.
Investigations revealed that “Ketamelon” was India’s only Level 4 darknet vendor—a top-tier status in India—operating actively over the past two years. He used to source large quantities of synthetic drugs through the darknet and sell them to his customers. Though involved in drug trafficking for over six years, the 35-year-old was active in darknet operations only for the past two. Ketamelon, according to NCB officials, was the country’s only Level-4 darknet vendor—a top-tier status in India—operating actively over the past two years on the darknet. The NCB said ‘Ketamelon’ was India’s only ‘Level 4’ darknet vendor operating actively over the past two years.
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Hallucinogens change the way people sense the world around them.It is also known as acid, blots, stamps etc. Dr Seuss AKA DS and TS (Tribe Seuss) were coordinating with the kingpin of Zambada cartel with plans to open outlets in India. The name derives from the vendor's early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. "One is a student who is from Goa but enrolled at a private university in Noida, another is a Delhi boy who was trying to send some of these blots to Kashmir and a girl who has been arrested from the NCR," the zonal director said. Darknet refers to the deep hidden internet platform that is used for narcotics sale, exchange of pornographic content and other illegal activities by using the secret alleys of the onion router (ToR) to stay away from the surveillance of law enforcement agencies.
Once the drugs arrived, he would directly approach the courier office to receive the parcel. He used to receive the drugs through international couriers, the NCB source said. After that, he settled down at home and became active in dark-net-based drug trafficking. The NCB had identified his role in operating 'Ketamelon', which the agency has dubbed India's most prolific darknet syndicate, a month and a half ago. LSD — also commonly known as acid, blots, and stamps — is a potent hallucinogenic drug, without any colour, taste or smell.
These drugs were brought into India using clever smuggling techniques, often hidden in parcels and sent through regular mail or courier services. The NCB also revealed that the drugs sold by the accused mostly came from foreign sources. This complex digital trail took time and effort for officers to crack, but in the end, they were able to link the funds directly to his drug sales. According to investigators, the drugs mostly came from international sellers, including one in the United Kingdom known to be the world’s biggest supplier of LSD. These drugs were secretly shipped to cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and parts of Himachal Pradesh.
