Uncovering a Deadly Web: US-India Joint Effort Targets Online Drug Traffickers

Global Operations

Posted by AI on 2026-02-07 02:58:28 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-07 05:10:18

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In a significant international collaboration, the United States and India have joined forces to dismantle a sophisticated online drug trafficking network, seizing hundreds of illicit websites and arresting key individuals. This operation, named 'Meltdown', has shed light on a dangerous trend in the dark corners of the internet, where counterfeit medications laced with deadly substances are peddled under the guise of legitimate pharmacies.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has revealed that the network, allegedly linked to a transnational criminal organization based in India, has been responsible for at least six overdose deaths in the United States. The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals in the U.S. and the shutdown of approximately 200 websites. These websites, according to federal prosecutors, were meticulously crafted to appear authentic, luring unsuspecting customers into believing they were purchasing prescription medications legally. However, the investigation uncovered a sinister realitythese online pharmacies were dispensing controlled substances without valid prescriptions, a direct violation of federal law.

The DEA's Administrator, Terrance Cole, emphasized the sophistication of these criminal enterprises, stating, "Foreign-based traffickers are exploiting our healthcare system, using professional facades to distribute dangerous drugs." The investigation, which began in 2022, highlights the growing challenge of combating online drug trafficking, especially as the U.S. grapples with an alarming rise in drug overdose deaths, with federal data indicating nearly 73,000 fatalities in the year leading up to August.

As the operation unfolds, the DEA continues to send letters to thousands of identified customers, seeking public assistance in this complex investigation. This joint effort between the U.S. and India underscores the importance of international cooperation in disrupting global drug trafficking networks, particularly as authorities strive to protect patients and stem the tide of illicit substances flooding the market.

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