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. In the present case, Gupta said that once the orders were received on darknet, the LSD blots were sent to buyers through couriers.
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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. 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. “The name derives from the vendor’s (arrested accused) early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Dr.Seuss AKA DS and TS (Tribe Seuss) were coordinating with the kingpin of Zambada cartel with plans to open outlets in India,” the NCB said. According to the NCB, surveillance and intelligence gathering led to the interception of three postal parcels carrying 280 LSD blots in Kochi on June 28. The agency suspects that over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered by the vendor.
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Unlike previous drug busts that focused on street-level dealers or bulk smugglers, this operation had to contend with an adversary leveraging encryption, digital anonymity, and decentralized finance. Investigations revealed he had a deep understanding of darknet culture, advanced digital security, and international drug sourcing. According to the NCB, the drugs were allegedly sourced from ‘Gunga Din’, a UK-based supplier linked to Dr Seuss aka DS or Tribe Seuss, the world’s largest LSD distributor. The first time the name of this cartel was reported in the country was in September 2022 when the Hyderabad Police arrested eight people for drug trafficking using the darknet. The NCB Delhi zonal office conducted multiple raids at the premises of these three persons leading to the seizure of 13,863 LSD blots, 428 grams MDMA (ecstasy), and the freezing of Rs 26.73 lakh "drug money", agency officials said.
- Edison, operating under the alias "Ketamelon," was identified as the mastermind behind India's largest darknet drug trafficking operation.
- 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.
- He said the operation was undertaken by a special team of the Delhi zonal unit of the agency after they "patrolled" the darknet for many hours.
- It is the second LSD trafficking cartel busted by the agency in the last about three months, officials said.
- Ransomware and cryptocurrency-based crimes saw a significant increase in 2025, with $2.17 billion stolen from crypto platforms, surpassing the total for all of 2024.
- However, the data does not specify the exact number of cases that were exclusively related to the darknet or cryptocurrency.
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The drugs were reportedly sourced from a UK-based darknet vendor, “Gunga Din,” known as a reshipper for the infamous global LSD supplier "Dr Seuss" or “Tribe Seuss”, believed to be the world’s largest LSD distributor. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately Rs 35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at Rs 2,500-4,000 each. This came a day after Punjab Police seized a huge amount of drugs in a major operation to crackdown on cross-border narcotics smuggling. The NCB had busted a similar darket-based LSD cartel named Zambada in 2023 and it had arrested 14 persons in the case apart from seizing 29,013 LSD blots, 472 grams of MDMA and Rs 51.38 lakh in cash.
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Zambada was known for having a rare 5-star vendor rating in India and was reportedly in coordination with Dr Seuss to expand operations. According to investigators, Ketamelon derived its name from its early operations involving ketamine smuggling. The syndicate has been active for the past two years, sourcing LSD and ketamine from international vendors and distributing them across major Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Bhopal, Patna, and several regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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. 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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Nils Andersen-Röed, the Global Head of Binance’s Financial Intelligence Unit, emphasized that while darknet drug dealers often attempt to obscure their transactions using privacy coins and crypto mixers, they eventually must convert their digital assets into fiat currency. At the time of his arrest, Edison was reportedly the only level-four darknet drug vendor identified in India, marking a significant breakthrough in combating synthetic drug trafficking. As India’s battle against drugs enters the digital era, cases like this will likely become more frequent—and more complex.
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- He utilized the government postal system and the dark web to facilitate his illicit activities, which involved the trafficking of drugs and the use of Monero cryptocurrency to launder over ₹68 lakh (approximately $82,000).
- 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.
- When American comedian Neal Brennan spoke to Joe Rogan about his experience with ketamine therapy for depression, he did not sound like a man who had just returned from a rave.
- Monero is a privacy-centric crypto designed to mask transaction details, making it a preferred payment method for darknet drug dealers and cybercriminals.
The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly. Chainalysis found that while 2024 was “likely a record year for crypto crime revenue overall,” inflows to darknet markets and fraud shops fell, “with DNMs receiving just over $2 billion in BTC on-chain, and fraud shops $225 million.” In a recent blog, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis noted that darknet market operators, “have learned the consequences of running BTC-accepting markets given the currency’s transparency,” adding that, “Many now accept only Monero.” Further investigations led to a house search on the next day, revealing 847 more LSD blots and significant quantities of Ketamine. Binance’s intelligence bridged significant gaps between digital trails and on-ground authorities.
“This is the second-largest LSD seizure in India, after the 2023 bust of another five-star-rated darknet cartel. A swift follow-up search at his residence the next day unearthed 847 more LSD blots and over 130 grams of Ketamine — together valued at Rs 35.12 lakh. The operation was set in motion on June 28 when officers intercepted 280 LSD blots from three international parcels at the Kochi International Post Office. The NCB said it is working to unearth the third such known LSD cartel operating in the country. 'Zambada' intended to open an Indian 'outlet' of Dr Seuss with a minimum stock of one lakh LSD blots. The NCB said the cartel's name is derived from Ismael-Marlo Zambada Garcia, a Mexican drug lord, and he was the last remaining fugitive on the list of Mexico's 37 most wanted drug criminals.
The value of the drugs and digital money found adds up to more than ₹68 lakh (about $82,000). Officials say the suspect used the darknet, a hidden part of the internet, to sell dangerous drugs like LSD and ketamine. This powerful digital coin helped him cover his tracks while sending illegal drugs like LSD and ketamine across major Indian cities — all without his family knowing. Codenamed “MELON”, the operation uncovered a network operated by an engineer, who was allegedly sourcing LSD and ketamine from a UK-based vendor.
India's NCB Arrests Engineer Behind ₹68 Lakh Darknet Drug Operation
Treasury Department sanctioned Russian hosting provider Aeza Group, accusing it of facilitating ransomware attacks and darknet drug markets that targeted victims worldwide. The NCB’s operation comes amid a global crackdown on cybercrime infrastructure linked to cryptocurrency. The agency noted that while Kerala typically sees fewer than 1,000 LSD blots seized annually, Edison was allegedly distributing around 10,000 LSD blots across the country each month.
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. Despite the seizure of over $82,000 in cryptocurrency, Monero's market remained unaffected, reflecting the isolated nature of personal holdings and the limited impact of such seizures on the broader cryptocurrency market. He placed orders for large quantities of LSD on the darknet, using fake addresses and SIM cards to avoid arrest. Edison's operations were highly sophisticated, involving the use of advanced encryption tools and Monero's privacy features to evade detection. India's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has made a significant breakthrough in combating cybercrime and drug trafficking with the arrest of Edison Babu, a 35-year-old engineer from Kerala.
Apart from the dark web markets that are operating online today, some raided platforms influenced many markets. It enhances buyer transparency by importing vendor feedback with PGP proof. Launched in 2023, STYX focuses on financial crime, providing stolen credit card data, hacked bank accounts and access to various cryptocurrency laundering tools. Security researchers have been monitoring forums within the cybercriminal underworld to investigate the leading markets operating in 2026. Stick to cryptocurrency, avoid downloading anything, and don’t share any personal info. By supplying stolen data, these dark web links fuel many online scams and identity theft operations, playing a critical role in the darker aspects of the internet.
Any person can share information related to the sale of narcotics by calling the MANAS- National Narcotics Helpline Toll Free Number-1933. 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.
Zambada cartel was the only cartel in the country with a 5-star rating,” he said. Mr. Singh said the NCB’s Delhi zonal unit had so far registered six cases related to LSD cartels and arrested 22 Indian nationals. The agency has found that the vendors and buyers were in contact with each other through social media sites. The NCB’s success in tracking down Ketamelon underscores the expanding capabilities of authorities in monitoring and disrupting cryptocurrency-facilitated illicit trade. The Ketamelon cartel was originally involved in Ketamine smuggling but transitioned to LSD in recent years. The NCB cited Binance’s assistance in tracing and analyzing cryptocurrency activity, which played a crucial role in identifying and freezing illicit funds.
