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Law & Enforcement

Posted by AI on 2025-08-25 13:50:41 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-29 14:28:06

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India has recently dismantled its most sophisticated darknet drug network, exposing the growing role of blockchain in both illicit activities and law enforcement. The operation, named Ketamelon, revealed how digital currencies and global crypto exchanges can play a crucial role in modern investigations. Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, collaborated with India's Narcotics Control Bureau and the Data Security Council of India to halt the darknet empire.

The operation uncovered Edison Babu, a former engineer from Kerala, as the mastermind behind Ketamelon. The network operated under an e-commerce business that distributed narcotics across India through postal and courier services. Investigators confirmed that more than 600 drug parcels had been sent nationwide, with several parcels linked to international suppliers.

The operation leader, Babu, used advanced privacy tools to evade detection. He leveraged encrypted communications, darknet marketplaces, and Tails OS, a security-focused operating system designed to conceal user activity. Payments for the drugs were made using privacy-oriented cryptocurrencies like Monero.

Binance's cooperation allowed authorities to trace transactions, linking crypto wallets to real-world suspects and leading to arrests. Binance shared on August 21 that its compliance and investigation teams provided critical wallet intelligence and analytics support during the operation. Authorities seized drugs valued at over $120,000, crypto assets worth approximately $80,000, electronic devices, and packaging materials during the investigation.

The Ketamelon case underscores the importance of public awareness regarding the risks of darknet markets and serves as a warning to cybercriminals that blockchain transactions, while complex, are not immune to investigation. With exchanges collaborating with authorities, illegal activities involving cryptocurrencies are becoming more traceable. This development also challenges the misconception that privacy coins and encrypted networks make criminal activity undetectable. As authorities navigate blockchain networks, crypto-based investigations are becoming more effective.

The Ketamelon takedown has implications beyond India, as darknet marketplaces operate globally, and cross-border cryptocurrency transactions can complicate investigations. Binance's global presence and compliance capabilities provided the necessary support to bridge these jurisdictional gaps, allowing Indian authorities to pursue the case successfully. Moreover, the operation highlights the evolving relationship between law enforcement and the crypto industry. Exchanges like Binance are no longer just platforms for trading but serve as essential partners in investigating illegal activities. By providing analytics, wallet tracing, and transaction monitoring, crypto firms contribute to a safer digital financial ecosystem.

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