Is NCB Targeting the Biggest Darknet Drug Vendor in India?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NCB is targeting a major darknet drug vendor.
- Edison is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation.
- Significant quantities of LSD and ketamine were seized.
- The operation revealed a vast distribution network across India.
- Public awareness and vigilance are essential in combating drug trafficking.
Kochi, July 2 (NationPress) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is gearing up to request the custody of an individual believed to be the mastermind behind India's largest darknet drug operation, following the apprehension of two suspects in a significant raid.
One of the detainees, a 35-year-old engineer named Edison, who resided in the small town of Muvattupuzha in Kerala, is currently in judicial custody.
The NCB intends to approach the court for his custodial interrogation. His accomplice, whose name remains undisclosed, is also in judicial custody.
The arrests resulted from the interception of three questionable postal parcels on June 28. Acting promptly, the agency launched an operation named “MELON” and raided Edison’s residence the following day.
During the search, authorities recovered 847 LSD blots and 131.66 grams of ketamine, with an estimated street value of around Rs 35 lakh.
According to NCB insiders, Edison is suspected of being the most significant active darknet drug vendor in the nation and is recognized as the sole known ‘Level 4’ vendor in India, which signifies a high-volume, high-trust profile in darknet marketplaces. He had reportedly been under surveillance by the NCB for an extended period.
This operation resulted in the seizure of a total of 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine, and cryptocurrency assets valued at Rs 70 lakh. Investigators suspect that Edison established a vast distribution network, supplying drugs to cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Bhopal, Patna, and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Over the last 18 months, he is alleged to have shipped more than 600 consignments throughout the country.
LSD blots, each priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,000, were among the principal items trafficked.
Residents of Muvattupuzha were stunned by the news. “We only knew Edison as someone engaged in business. This revelation has taken us entirely by surprise,” said a neighbor.
NCB officials are now preparing to take Edison into custody for further questioning, which could reveal deeper networks and digital trails behind the escalating issue of darknet-based drug trafficking in India.