Latest NCB arrests reveal drug peddling on darknet

The seized narcotics from Lokhandwala and Virar

Raids conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Lokhandwala and Virar on Thursday have led to the discovery of drugs being peddled on the darknet, with payments being done using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoins. Six people were arrested and huge quantities of LSD, marijuana buds, mephedrone and hashish were recovered.

The raids were conducted after the NCB came to know that some peddlers were providing drugs in Andheri and Virar. A team led by the NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede took the action. Wankhede told mid-day, "The arrested accused were buying and selling drugs using darknet through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoins. NCB is investigating further in the case."

Zaid Rana and Sonu Faiz were held from Lokhandwala. The seized drugs include 70 blots of LSD. After the interrogation of the duo, NCB arrested Shubham Savardekar alias Thapa and recovered some hashish from him. From Virar, three people were held with 53 blots of LSD and 10.2 gm mephedrone. The accused have been identified as Ravi Waghela, Harshad Waghela and Sharad Pargi.

Use of darknet for drugs

The first step involves accessing the darknet through websites on special software freely available on the internet. The websites are exclusively available only on the darknet. These sites have vendors who specialise in selling drugs. The vendors provide their username on messenger services that facilitate anonymity. The messenger services are used by buyers to contact vendors and place orders after getting information on the availability and rate. The order is placed for the narcotics to be delivered and payment is done through cryptocurrency, either directly or through an agent.