The Narcotics Control Bureau has dismantled a pan-India drug distribution network operating under the name Team Kalki. The syndicate used darknet marketplaces and the encrypted Session messaging application to coordinate narcotic trafficking since January 2025. The operation was carried out in New Delhi after intelligence inputs were developed over the last three months. The case marks the changing methods used by drug traffickers, including digital platforms, international parcels and cryptocurrency-based transactions.
Operation and Seizures
- NCB intercepted and seized narcotic substances from 13 domestic parcels.
- Two parcels originating from the Netherlands were also seized.
- The operation led to the busting of the distribution network in New Delhi.
- Multiple electronic devices were recovered from the accused.
Modus Operandi of the Network
- The network operated through darknet platforms and encrypted messaging.
- It used Session, a privacy-focused application, for coordination.
- The syndicate is suspected to have dispatched more than 1,000 consignments since January 2025.
- A cryptocurrency wallet linked to the operation has been identified.
Significance for Drug Enforcement
- The case shows the growing role of encrypted digital tools in narcotics trafficking.
- Darknet marketplaces make detection and tracing more difficult for enforcement agencies.
- Cross-border parcels remain a major route for concealment and movement of contraband.
- The seizure adds to concerns over technology-enabled drug distribution networks in India.
Legal and Investigative Relevance
- The case may involve provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
- Digital evidence from devices and wallets will be important for tracing the wider network.
- Financial trails through cryptocurrency can help identify handlers and buyers.
- The operation reflects the need for coordinated action against online narcotics trafficking.