Drug sales on dark web

The arrest of Edison Babu, an engineering graduate from Muvattupuzha, has proven that the scale and scope of drug dealing in Kerala is much more extensive and complex than previously thought. The Narcotics Control Bureau has indicated that Edison has built a huge drug network in the metro cities of the country with his base in Muvattupuzha. Although Edison had led the international drug trade with his friends since his engineering days, no one has been able to touch him so far. Deol and his wife Anju, a native of Muvattupuzha, have also been arrested apart from Edison. They are financially well-off and run a resort in Panchalimedu.

Small-scale traders of cannabis and MDMA are the ones who usually fall into the clutches of the state excise. Compared to the drug business carried out by Edison, they are mere small fishes. The reason why the spread of drug addiction has not decreased despite the increase in the number of arrests as part of the state's big-publicised drug hunt is that many big sharks like Edison remain here uncaught. Those arrested in Muvattupuzha sell drugs like LSD stamps and ketamine imported from abroad through the dark net, both domestically and internationally. The NCB is continuing its investigation into those who purchased drugs from them. The agency has conducted checks at about ten places in the country for two days. Inspections are also continuing at the homes of those who purchased drugs.

It is difficult to track them down as they are doing business through the dark net using fake IDs. Edison was arrested after months of continuous surveillance following an investigation into the arrival of drug packets through the Ernakulam post office at a different address. He initially purchased drugs through the dark net for his own needs, and later turned it into a business. Edison used to purchase ketamine from India while LSD was imported from abroad. He used to supply drugs through an international drug network, Zambada. They cannot be caught in a normal investigation as the transactions are made using digital currency. It cannot be said that other gangs that run such businesses are not operating in Kerala.

The drug trade and cryptocurrency transactions taking place under the cover of the dark net are a cause for concern. It is said that there is nothing that cannot be bought from the dark net. It is also said that guns, other weapons and poison are available on the dark net. It can be used by those who are technically well-versed. This is one of the things that the underworld and fraudsters rely on the most. The fact that criminals can commit any crime while hiding is what attracts people who are trying to make money quickly without any effort to the dark net. The government should take steps to provide special training to agencies including the state excise to monitor and detect those involved in such activities. The spread of chemical addiction must be stopped at all costs.