The bust of “Ketamelon”—a Level 4 darknet vendor—underscores the evolving sophistication of narcotics syndicates, combining tech-savvy concealment with global supply chains. “This was (Ketamelon) one of India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicates. The agency launched an operation codenamed ‘Melon’ to investigate it after getting primary inputs from the Cochin seizure,” an NCB statement said. The cartels on darknet are rated on scale of 1 star to 5 star based on their potency of drug sold and their customer service. Launched in September 2022, Torzon Market operates on the Tor network and features over 11,600 illegal products, including drugs and hacking tools. It enhances buyer transparency by importing vendor feedback with PGP proof. Torzon offers a premium account option for additional benefits and is valued at approximately $15 million, accepting payments in Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR).
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One of the most common is the exit scam, where a marketplace suddenly disappears and takes everyone’s money with it. As of 2020, nearly 57% of the dark web was estimated to contain illegal content, including violence and extremist platforms. Authorities estimate that over 600 items were delivered across the country, taking use of postal system flaws to achieve scale and stealth. On the financial side, the network funneled funds through privacy-focused digital assets like Monero, while also using wallet-hopping and obfuscation techniques.
Abacus Market
A Canadian market established in 2021, WTN offers over 9,000 products, including narcotics, fake goods, and digital services. It operates in both French and English and has built a reputation for ease-of-use. 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.
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This assistance not only allowed for the identification of suspects, but also demonstrated how law enforcement and industry can work together to dismantle tech-enabled criminal activities. The operation unmasked Edison Babu, a former engineer from Kerala, as the mastermind behind a sprawling online drug empire disguised as an e-commerce business. Investigations revealed that “Ketamelon” was India’s only Level 4 darknet vendor—a top-tier status in India—operating actively over the past two years. The name derives from the vendor’s early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Drugs were primarily sourced 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 team includes cyber security specialists, ethical hackers, and cyber professionals.
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The operation was carried out by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police in close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and Rajasthan Police. According to police, the consignment was linked to a Pakistan-based smuggler, Tanveer Shah, and a Canada-based handler, Joban Kaler.
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It highlights the necessity for international cooperation and the use of advanced tools to track and apprehend criminals operating on the dark web. The first category includes classic marketplaces, which serve as one-stop shops for a wide range of illegal goods. These platforms sell everything from drugs and fake IDs to weapons and hacking tools, resembling a digital black-market bazaar. The current bust comes nearly two years after NCB dismantled the notorious ‘Zambada’ darknet cartel, the then largest in the country, which had ties to the same international LSD network. Zambada had a five-star rating in darknet marketplaces and was based out of Delhi-NCR.
The marketplace has a simple interface, lets users filter logs easily, and accepts Bitcoin, Monero, and Litecoin for payments. Now that you understand what the dark web is all about, you might wonder why other people do things on it. Darknet marketplaces like to exist on the dark web because it offers a service that the regular internet, or more accurately, the “surface web,” does not. These marketplaces are full of risks (security, legal, ethical issues – all of them).
Making Cybercrime Easy For Anyone
The dark web is a hidden section of the internet that you cannot reach with common search engines like Bing or Google. The only way in is through the use of special software that renders all users anonymous and untraceable. Breaking down the figures, the NCB reported three cases in 2020, 49 in 2021, eight in 2022, 21 in 2023, and 11 cases up until April 2024. However, the data does not specify the exact number of cases that were exclusively related to the darknet or cryptocurrency.
It has ‘outlets’ in the UK, USA, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey, according to DDG Singh. “The cartel was being operated by young educated men in the age bracket of years,” he said. Over the recent years, we have witnessed a steady increase in cyber incidents. A virtual phone system enables you to turn your phone into a powerful tool for both personal and bus… Then, you can set up 2FA (two-factor authentication) for that extra touch of security in case someone somehow figures out your password. If you ever have to connect to public Wi-Fi, make sure to use a VPN to keep your browsing safe and private.
- “The bureau is carrying out operations against drug cartels under the direct supervision of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, pursuant to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to put an end to narcotics trade in the country,” they said.
- The estimated street value of the seized drugs is about ₹35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at ₹2,500-₹4,000 each.
- As one of PrivacySavvy’s resident VPN experts, he guides readers on protecting their online information and anonymity.
- For society at large, the case is a reminder of the unpredictable intersections between technology and criminality, and the need for ongoing vigilance—at the institutional and individual levels alike.
However, in June 2025, BidenCash’s relevant domains (around 145) were seized by the US Department of Justice. Just as there are new entrants, the dark web has its veteran markets too, and Brian’s Club is one such market. It has been in operation for more than a decade since its debut in 2014. Brian’s Club is one of the best place to buy stolen credit card info, including CVVs, dumps, and even full account packages without revealing your identity.
Stick to cryptocurrency, avoid downloading anything, and don’t share any personal info. It’s been a constant back-and-forth between cybercriminals and law enforcement, with each new site trying to be smarter and more secure than the last. In 2019, there were approximately 8,400 active sites on the dark web, selling thousands of products and services daily. For instance, cybercriminals can buy credit card details with a $5,000 balance for just $110. The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper.
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Security researchers have been monitoring forums within the cybercriminal underworld to investigate the leading markets operating in 2024. Some fake sellers take your crypto and never ship what you ordered, or phishing sites that look like real marketplaces but steal your login info. And then there’s malware—click the wrong link or download the wrong file, and your device could get infected. Darknet drug vendors are ranked from 1 to 5 stars based on the potency of drugs sold and customer satisfaction, similar to e-commerce platforms. Binance’s compliance and investigations teams performed critical roles in transforming blockchain transparency into enforcement. Binance’s intelligence bridged significant gaps between digital trails and on-ground authorities.
