Latest news with #Ketamelon
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NCB taps seized data to trace darknet links
Kochi: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Kochi unit has arrested two individuals linked to what officials described as one of India's largest darknet-based drug trafficking syndicates. According to NCB sources, one of the arrested, Edison, a 35-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate from Muvattupuzha, is the kingpin and ran the operation from his personal computer at home. His arrest followed nearly five months of targeted surveillance. The officials have not yet revealed the identity of the second suspect who has been taken into custody. The arrests were part of operation MELON, which NCB officials said busted one of the most sophisticated darknet drug networks in India, referred to as Ketamelon. On June 28, authorities seized 280 LSD blots from postal parcels in Kochi. Subsequent searches uncovered another 847 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine, encrypted systems such as TAILS OS, and cryptocurrency wallets with assets worth Rs 70 lakh. "Edison was active on forums like 'Dark Net Market India' and traded via a platform called Drug Hub," said an officer. All transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency and communication occurred over encrypted platforms, investigators said. Though the dark web's encrypted nature concealed much of Edison's activity, a document found on his computer proved vital in revealing the scale of the operation. Officials said Edison was about to place an order for 10,000 LSD blots at the time of his arrest. "To put that into perspective, law enforcement in Kerala seizes at most 1,000 LSD blots in an entire year," one officer noted.
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Edison left engineering job to peddle drugs full time
KOCHI: Muvattupuzha resident Edison, 35, ran the darknet-based drug syndicate Ketamelon with such secrecy that even his family was stunned when NCB officers arrived at their doorstep on Sunday. A mechanical engineer by profession, Edison allegedly operated the network single-handedly, confident that he could evade law enforcement while clicking away on his computer at home. According to sources, Edison began peddling drugs on the dark web in small quantities around six years ago. 'He left his job and took up drug peddling full time. We have traced cryptocurrency assets worth over Rs 70 lakh, clearly pointing to large-scale dealings. Typically, less than 1,000 LSD blots are recovered in Kerala annually. But Edison used to place single orders for as many as 1,000 LSD stamps at a time,' an NCB official said. Sources added that Edison was leading a lavish life, funded by the proceeds from his illegal activities. He allegedly used multiple cryptocurrency platforms to conduct transactions for both procuring and distributing narcotics. NCB officers are tracing his transactions, via both cryptocurrencies and bank accounts. Edison was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody. The NCB will approach the court, seeking his custody on Wednesday.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Indian Express
Codename Ketamelon: NCB says it has busted India's biggest darknet drugs syndicate
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday said its Kochi zonal unit busted 'India's most prolific darknet drug syndicate' operating under the name 'Ketamelon'. NCB sources said it arrested one Edison (35), a native of Muvattupuzha in Kerala's Ernakulam district. They alleged that he is currently the largest darknet vendor of drugs in India and is the country's only 'Level 4' darknet vendor who has been operating actively over the past two years. An associate of Edison has also been arrested, but the NCB has not revealed his name. Edison, an engineer, was allegedly sourcing drugs from the UK and has a network across India, officials said. According to the NCB, the name Ketamelon derives from the vendor's involvement in ketamine smuggling. 'Drugs were primarily sourced from a UK-based vendor, Gunga Din, believed to be the largest LSD source in the world,' the agency said. 'If fewer than 1,000 LSD blots were seized in Kerala in a year, this person was supplying around 10,000 LSD blots across the country in a month. He was remanded in judicial custody, and we will seek his custody for further investigation,' sources said. In the operation codenamed 'MELON', the NCB said it seized large quantities of LSD and ketamine — 1,127 LSD blots and 131.66 grams of ketamine — as well as crypto assets worth Rs 70 lakh. The suspect had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, officials said. Over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were allegedly sent out by him. The estimated market value of the seized drugs is approximately Rs 35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at Rs 2,500-4,000 each. The NCB said that after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, 280 LSD blots were intercepted on June 28 from three postal parcels in Kochi. 'Investigation in this regard confirmed that these parcels were booked by the suspect. During a search of his house on June 29, 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine were seized,' the NCB said. The suspect has allegedly been active in various darknet markets over the last two years. The NCB carried out a four-month probe to identify him. Intensive technical and physical investigations were carried out in this period to get to the accused, officials said. The NCB said that during searches, several other incriminating material were found, including a pen drive containing TAILS, a free and open source operating system protecting privacy and anonymity online, which was used to access darknet markets. Multiple cryptocurrency wallets and hard disks with incriminating documents were seized, officials said.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NCB busts ‘Ketamelon' darknet drug syndicate, 2 held in raids
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted India's most-prolific drugs syndicate being operated on darknet under the name of 'Ketamelon', and arrested two accused, including a Kochi resident who was running the network on dark web, officials said on Tuesday. Officials said they have recovered 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine contraband, and digital assets worth around ₹ 70 lakh. (HT PHOTO) Though the agency did not divulge the identity of the two accused citing ongoing raids across different states, officials said they have recovered 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine contraband, and digital assets worth around ₹ 70 lakh. 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 name derives from the vendor's (arrested accused) early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Drugs were primarily sourced from a UK-based vendor Gunga Din, a known reshipper of the globally infamous Dr Seuss (also known as DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world,' Neeraj Gupta, deputy director general of NCB, said. 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. Gunga Din is a famous 1890 poem by 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. In the present case, Gupta said that once the orders were received on darknet, the LSD blots were sent to buyers through couriers. Probe so far has revealed that the accused had sold the LSD blots to buyers in Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, as well as regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 'Over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered. 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. The federal agency said that following a specific intelligence, its officials from the Cochin zone on June 28 intercepted three postal parcels in Kochi, carrying 280 LSD blots. The probe revealed the identity of the Ketamelon darknet operator, whose house was raided the following day, during which NCB officials found 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine, the agency added. LSD — also commonly known as acid, blots, and stamps — is a potent hallucinogenic drug, without any colour, taste or smell. It is painted or dipped into stamps and licked or swallowed by users. 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.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
NCB busts major LSD darknet vendor, seizes over 1,100 ‘stamps'
New Delhi: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a major darknet-based drug syndicate named Ketamelon, which supplied drugs to distributors and end users across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The syndicate shipped LSD to major cities, delivering 600 shipments in 14 months, the probe revealed. The suspects revealed that they sourced the drugs from a UK-based vendor, 'Gunga Din', a known re-shipper of the globally infamous Dr. Seuss (aka DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,127 LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine, with an estimated value of Rs 35 lakhs. Additionally, digital assets worth Rs 70 lakhs were seized, including USDT cryptocurrency. Two suspects were taken into custody, and further investigation is in progress," said a senior officer. Ketamelon, the NCB said, was India's only Level-4 darknet vendor, operating actively over the past two years, deriving its name from the vendor's early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Ketamelon established a widespread network, shipping LSD to Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, and Patna, besides Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. T Tired of too many ads? go ad free now he investigation began after intercepting 280 LSD blots from three postal parcels on June 28, 2025. Further probe led to the seizure of 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine. Additionally, incriminating materials were recovered, including a pen drive containing a bootable 'Kites' operating system used to access darknet markets, cryptocurrency wallets, and hard disks with incriminating documents. LSD (lysergic diethylamide acid) is the most powerful hallucinogenic drug available. They mostly come as 'stamps', and a sheet of LSD has around 100 of them that people lick or swallow. It is also available in the form of drops and consumed after being poured on sugar cubes. Each LSD stamp or drop is priced at Rs 3,500-5,000, depending upon quality and potency, which is measured in micrograms. The most powerful LSD sold to date has been 1,200 micrograms. An LSD or acid 'trip' is described as a psychedelic experience that alters the state of consciousness, causing significant changes to a person's thoughts and feelings. The experience lasts anywhere between 8 and 12 hours. "LSD alters the sense of space, distance, and time. People say they 'hear' colours or 'see' sounds and have strange feelings and strong emotions," said a source. Earlier in 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet-based LSD cartel named "Zambada", seizing 29,013 blots of LSD, 472 grams of MDMA, and Rs 51.38 lakh cash, and arrested 14 persons, out of which the main kingpins are under judicial custody. The Zambada cartel was the only cartel in the country with a 5-star rating most of the time in India, operating from Delhi NCR. Dr. Seuss, aka DS and TS (Tribe Seuss), coordinated with the kingpin of the Zambada cartel with plans to open outlets in India. The cartels on the darknet are rated on a scale of 1 star to 5 stars based on the potency of the drug sold and their customer service.
