Gujarat crypto probe: Two more arrested in ₹226-crore dark web network
Synopsis
A Gujarat cybercrime probe into a ₹226-crore cryptocurrency network — allegedly tied to the Houthi-linked Ansarullah, sanctioned exchange Garantex, and international drug trafficking — has widened with two fresh arrests from Bhavnagar. The accused allegedly used a father's KYC credentials to run layered Binance transactions, moving 5,000 USDT in what investigators call 'dirty crypto'. With 12 now in custody, the case is one of India's most internationally entangled crypto investigations.
Key Takeaways
Two more accused — Hadirja Sabir Ali Sarani (23) and Mohammad Zamin Abbas Ali Jigar (36), both from Bhavnagar — arrested on 5 June 2026 .
Total arrests in the case now stand at 12 ; case registered as FIR 33/2026 at Gujarat's Cyber Centre of Excellence .
Alleged network valued at over ₹226 crore , with links to terrorist funding, international drug trafficking, and dark web transactions.
Transactions reportedly connected to OFAC -flagged entities, sanctioned exchange Garantex , and Ansarullah (Houthi movement).
Approximately 5,000 USDT moved through layered transactions using a father's KYC credentials to operate a Binance wallet.
Forensic blockchain analysis and custodial interrogation are ongoing to trace the wider network.
Two more accused have been arrested in Gandhinagar as part of a widening cybercrime investigation into an alleged cryptocurrency network valued at over ₹226 crore, which authorities say is linked to suspected terrorist funding channels, international drug trafficking operations, and transactions routed through the dark web. The arrests, confirmed on 5 June 2026, bring the total number of accused in custody to 12.
Key Developments
The case — registered as FIR 33/2026 at the Cyber Centre of Excellence under CID Crime, Gujarat — was initiated following detailed blockchain and technical analysis of cryptocurrency movements. According to officials, 10 accused had already been arrested earlier in the investigation before the latest detentions.
Superintendent of Police Sanjay Keshwala confirmed the arrests, stating that the probe was being conducted under instructions from Director General of Police K. L. N. Rao for a detailed and intensive investigation.
Who Was Arrested
The two newly arrested accused have been identified as Hadirja Sabir Ali Sarani, aged 23, and Mohammad Zamin Abbas Ali Jigar, aged 36, both residents of Bhavnagar. According to SP Keshwala, Sarani allegedly used the KYC credentials of his father to operate a Binance cryptocurrency wallet and carry out layered transactions alongside his associate Jigar.
Approximately 5,000 USDT was reportedly moved through these layered transactions, which investigators have described as 'dirty crypto'. The accused are currently on remand following their arrest.
International Linkages Under Scrutiny
Officials stated that the transactions were routed through multiple stages and linked to entities flagged in international financial monitoring systems. These reportedly include references to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), as well as alleged connections to Ansarullah — the Houthi movement — and the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. Both Garantex and entities linked to Ansarullah have previously faced international sanctions.
This is a significant escalation in the probe's scope, connecting a domestic cybercrime case to globally sanctioned networks. Notably, Garantex was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022 for facilitating transactions linked to ransomware and darknet markets.
What Investigators Are Doing Next
The Cyber Centre of Excellence is continuing forensic blockchain analysis to map additional wallets, identify counterparties, and trace cross-border financial flows connected to the case. Officials said further custodial interrogation of the two newly arrested accused is underway, alongside ongoing technical analysis to establish the full extent of the network's international linkages.
With the investigation still active and the accused on remand, further arrests in the case cannot be ruled out as authorities expand their digital forensics sweep.
Point of View
One that regulators have flagged but not yet fully closed. With only 5,000 USDT traced so far against a ₹226-crore case value, the bulk of the network's flows remain unaccounted for — and the real test of this investigation is whether blockchain forensics can follow the money across jurisdictions.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ₹226-crore Gujarat cryptocurrency case?
It is a cybercrime investigation registered as FIR 33/2026 at Gujarat's Cyber Centre of Excellence under CID Crime, targeting an alleged cryptocurrency network valued at over ₹226 crore. Authorities say the network is linked to suspected terrorist funding, international drug trafficking, and dark web transactions.
Who are the two newly arrested accused?
The two accused are Hadirja Sabir Ali Sarani, aged 23, and Mohammad Zamin Abbas Ali Jigar, aged 36, both residents of Bhavnagar, Gujarat. They were arrested on 5 June 2026 and are currently on remand.
What is the connection to Garantex and Ansarullah?
Investigators say the transactions were routed through entities flagged in international financial monitoring systems, including the sanctioned cryptocurrency exchange Garantex and Ansarullah, the Houthi movement. Both have been subject to international sanctions, adding a cross-border dimension to the domestic cybercrime probe.
How did the accused allegedly operate the crypto network?
According to SP Sanjay Keshwala, Hadirja Sabir Ali Sarani allegedly used his father's KYC credentials to operate a Binance cryptocurrency wallet and conduct layered transactions alongside associate Mohammad Zamin Abbas Ali Jigar. Approximately 5,000 USDT was moved through these transactions, described by investigators as 'dirty crypto'.
What happens next in the investigation?
The Cyber Centre of Excellence is continuing forensic blockchain analysis to map additional wallets and trace cross-border financial flows. Further custodial interrogation of the two newly arrested accused is also underway, and officials have not ruled out additional arrests as the probe expands.
