Nagpur Police Launch Aggressive Crackdown On Dark Web And Social Media Drug Trade

Time of India

4 hours ago

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Nagpur: The dark web, accessible only through anonymising tools like Tor, has emerged as a significant challenge for Nagpur's law enforcement. They are tackling the high-profile narcotics trade, which increasingly uses hi-tech tools for networking, supply, and communication to avoid police dragnets.
"The latest trend is to create online groups and reach out to potential buyers. From time to time, alerts are sent, meeting and party venues disclosed, and vehicle details with symbols on them are revealed to connect with each other," said an insider.
As part of International Anti-Narcotics Week, observed globally along with the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, Nagpur police have intensified efforts to combat the escalating drug trade facilitated through the dark web and social media platforms.
Under the leadership of commissioner Ravinder Singal, the city is deploying advanced cyber patrolling and surveillance techniques to dismantle sophisticated drug networks exploiting digital anonymity.
Singal emphasised the difficulty of tracking transactions on darknet marketplaces. "The dark web's anonymity, combined with cryptocurrency payments, creates a perfect storm for drug traffickers," Singal said.
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The top cop highlighted the success of Operation Thunder, a citywide initiative launched under his command, which recently led to the seizure of drugs worth Rs6.39 crore.
DCP Lohit Matani, spearheading the cybercrime division, said, "The dark web is conducive to cybercrime due to its inherent anonymity and encryption."
"Marketplaces like the now-defunct Silk Road facilitated the sale of illegal drugs, allowing users to buy and sell narcotics anonymously," said Matani, adding that traffickers use coded language and emojis like snowflakes for cocaine or maple leaves for cannabis to advertise and connect with buyers.
Matani's team has been conducting rigorous cyber patrolling, collaborating with IT experts to decode encrypted communications on apps like Wickr. Matani referenced a 2024 operation where Nagpur police uncovered a syndicate using social media to distribute tramadol and opium-based ayurvedic preparations, concealed as herbal supplements, to international markets. This year's International Anti-Narcotics Week theme, 'People First: Stop Stigma, Strengthen Prevention', aligns with Nagpur police's multi-faceted approach.
The district-level anti-narcotics surveillance committee, formed in 2022, has been instrumental in coordinating efforts across agencies, including the postal department, to intercept suspicious couriers.
Advanced analytics and cryptocurrency tracing have led to key arrests. "We're blending traditional policing with cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of tech-savvy traffickers," Matani stated. Operation Thunder has been a cornerstone of Nagpur's anti-drug strategy.
Singal revealed that the operation leverages real-time data from the National Narcotics Helpline 'MANAS' and employs satellite imagery and drones to monitor trafficking routes.
A recent bust under this initiative uncovered a dark web syndicate smuggling drugs to Europe and the US, with 306 grams of narcotics and two illegal firearms seized. "This nexus between drugs and other crimes is a priority for us," Singal noted.
Despite these successes, challenges remain. The dark web's anonymity and social media's vast reach strain traditional policing methods. Critics stated that focusing on digital platforms should be given equal attention to Nagpur's traditional trafficking routes, facilitated by its strategic rail and road connectivity. Singal, however, remains optimistic, citing Haryana's success in curbing drug abuse as a model.
"Community engagement and technological upskilling are key," he asserted.
As part of Anti-Narcotics Week, Nagpur police are organising awareness campaigns, including essay writing, poster making, and reel competitions for students and youth clubs.