Dark Web, crypto, couriers: How Hyderabad police's NEW busted drug peddling; 6 arrested

Hyderabad Police's Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) in one of its latest investigations has busted a gang of drug peddlers using dark web and crypto currency for the sale of drugs. In the investigation, 2 interstate peddlers, 6 drug peddlers in the city and 30 consumers have been arrested by H-NEW. In light of this case, Hyderabad CP urged parents to be extra careful about the couriers that their children get. He asked them to open and check the couriers if they find something suspicious. He also said that all these drug peddlers and customers are highly educated and belong to rich families.

The 2 interstate peddlers have been identified as Narendra Arya alias Holy Shop, a native of Goa, and Farhan Mohammed Ansari alias Treeminator, a native of Rajasthan. The other peddlers from the city are Utkarsh Umang alias Ashu, Sahil Sharma, Abdullah Khan, Indra Kumar, Charan Kumar, and Bushan Raj. Three cases were registered against them in Humayun Nagar PS, Chaderghat PS, and Jubilee Hills PS.

The police have seized around 140gms of Charas, 184 blots of LSDs, 10 gms of MDMA, 7 cell phones and a cash of Rs.2,000 all worth Rs.9 lakhs. There is one more drug supplier by the code name Zambada Cartel, but the police are yet to identify him.

About the accused

Drug supplier Narendra Arya alias Holy Shop, hails from Haryana but is now settled in Goa. For the past one year, he has been engaged in online drug trafficking through dark web with the help of Social Networks, CryptoCurrency (Single-use Crypto Wallet) and other hidden apps to courier narcotics to home. He has done nearly Rs.30 lakhs worth transactions in Crypto Currency related to drug trafficking throughout India. He has nearly 450 consumers across India.

The other dark web drug supplier Farhan Mohd. Ansari alias Treeminator, (22), is a native of Madhya Pradesh but is now settled in Rajasthan. He is pursuing his final year in B. Tech. For the past 6 months, he has been doing online drug trafficking through the dark web with the help of social networks.

Modus Operandi

The other drug peddlers Utkarsh Umang, Sahil Sharma, Abdullah Ansar Ahmed Khan, Indra Kumar, Aviti Charan Kumar, and P Bhushan Raj are all peddlers and residents of Hyderabad. These drug peddlers procured the drug from "HOLY SHOP", "TREEMINATOR" AND "ZAMBADA CARTEL'' through Dark Web, Social Networks and used Crypto Currency to hide their identity. The consumers were ordering various drugs like LSD, MDMA , ECSTASY PILLS, WEED and CHARAS etc, through the above sad shops for their personal consumption and as well as for peddling.

Utkarsh Umang and Sahil Sharma both are from Hyderabad and completed BBA from the same college. They purchased drugs in massive quantities from HOLY SHOP, TREEMINATOR and ZAMBADA CARTEL and supplied the drug to the consumers. Utkarsh Umang also used to host parties at 5 Star Hotels. Previously he has been arrested by Hayathnager PS.

Abdullah Ansar Ahmed Khan is a native of Hyderabad, completed BBA and he is the batchmate of Utkarsh Umang and Sahil Sharma. He also purchased drugs in massive quantities from the above-mentioned vendors and also from local vendor Indira Kumar.

CV Anand, Commissioner of Police Hyderabad said that as of now 30 consumers, who are purchasing drugs from the above-accused persons were identified and the investigation is being continued.

How did they use dark web in this case

The drug peddlers used an application to enter into the dark web where the order placing happens. The payment is made through cryptocurrency. The order is delivered through couriers, in neatly packed boxes, envelopes, or stationery items.

In the press meet, Hyderabad CP demonstrated how drugs are being sent in couriers by opening an envelope and showing how it has been nicely packed and placed inside a few sheets of paper.