Overview On December 29, 2025 , the Cochin Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) filed a chargesheet before the District Sessions Court, Ernakulam , in connection with a darknet-based drug trafficking case. This case is one of two registered following an operation earlier in the year that successfully dismantled a major drug syndicate. Key Developments Operation MELON and Seizures The enforcement agency's operation, code-named MELON , led to the seizure of 1,127 suspected LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) blots, 131.66 g of Ketamine , and crypto assets worth ₹90 lakh . The operation aimed to dismantle what was claimed to be India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicate, operating under the alias “Ketamelon.” Arrests and Accused The NCB had previously arrested two individuals: Edison Babu , the alleged mastermind behind the trafficking, and Arun Thomas , his accomplice, who allegedly ran drug errands. Both are residents of Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam . The chargesheet also names two additional accused: Sandeep Sajeev , originally from North Paravur and now residing in Hull City, United Kingdom , is accused of receiving deliveries of drugs, mostly LSD , ordered by Edison over the darknet and repackaging them before sending them back to India. Harikrishnan Aji Nawas , the fourth accused, traced to Australia , allegedly converted cryptocurrency received by Edison as payment for drugs into currency and wired it to multiple accounts maintained by him. The NCB has issued blue corner notices against Sandeep Sajeev and Harikrishnan Aji Nawas to confirm their locations and has sought evidence from U.K. and Australian authorities. Further Investigation The investigation remains open against an entity identified as Pradeep Bhai from Varanasi , who allegedly supplied Ketamine to Edison , which was then sold on the darknet. Apart from dealing in LSD via the darknet, Edison also trafficked Ketamine offline within India. The NCB had arrested Deoal K.V. and his wife Anju Davis , who dealt in Ketamine and were associated with Edison . Assets Seized To date, assets worth over ₹3 crore belonging to Edison have been seized by the NCB . These include a shopping complex in Muvattupuzha valued at around ₹85 lakhs , cryptocurrency worth ₹1.50 crore , and another property in Idukki . Case Details The NCB registered two cases in connection with the Ketamelon network. The first involved the seizure of alleged drugs from three postal parcels on June 28, 2025 . The second case involved the seizure of 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 g of Ketamine during a raid at Edison’s residence. The chargesheet filed pertains to the seizure from Edison Babu's house. Digital Investigation and International Cooperation Beyond physical seizures, the investigation was largely digital, involving the collection of IP details, communications from Edison’s modem, and forensic analysis of CPUs . The investigation also involved international evidence gathering through MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) . Ketamelon's Operations Investigations revealed that “Ketamelon” was India’s only Level 4 darknet vendor — a top-tier status in the country — operating actively over the past two years. The name derives from the vendor’s early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Reportedly, the drugs were primarily sourced from a U.K.-based vendor, GungaDin , a known re-shipper of the globally infamous Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. DS or Tribe Seuss) , believed to be the largest LSD supplier in the world. “Ketamelon” had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi , and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand . Over the last two and a half years, “Ketamelon” reportedly shipped around 1200 consignments. UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Exam , particularly for GS Paper 3 (Internal Security) and GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and International Relations) . It highlights the challenges posed by darknet-based drug trafficking, the use of cryptocurrency in illegal activities, and the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The case study of “Ketamelon” provides insights into the modus operandi of drug syndicates operating in the digital space. Key Takeaways for UPSC Darknet and Cybercrime: Understand the challenges posed by the darknet for law enforcement agencies. Drug Trafficking: Analyze the trends and patterns of drug trafficking in India, including the use of digital platforms. Cryptocurrency and Illegal Activities: Evaluate the risks associated with the use of cryptocurrency for money laundering and other illegal activities. International Cooperation: Appreciate the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime. NCB's Role: Understand the role and functions of the Narcotics Control Bureau in India.