The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has filed a chargesheet before a court in Kochi against members of the notorious darknet-based drug syndicate known as “Ketamelon”, officials said on Monday. The case is linked to the large-scale procurement and distribution of narcotics ordered through the darknet and paid for using cryptocurrency.

An NCB official said the chargesheet was submitted before the Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court on December 23, marking a significant step in the agency’s crackdown on organised cyber-enabled drug trafficking networks operating across borders.

According to officials, the chargesheet names Edison Babu, a native of Muvattupuzha and the prime accused in the case; Arun Thomas; Sandeep Sajeev, a resident of North Paravoor who is currently based in the United Kingdom; and Harikrishnan Aji Nawas, who is believed to be residing in Australia.

The case stems from a major NCB operation conducted in June 2025, code-named “Operation MELON”, during which the agency seized 1,127 suspected LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine, and cryptocurrency assets valued at approximately ₹90 lakh. The operation exposed the existence of the Ketamelon cartel, which investigators say had established a wide network spanning multiple states in India and links abroad.

NCB officials said the cartel operated primarily through the darknet, using encrypted platforms to place and fulfil drug orders. Edison Babu allegedly played a central role in the operation by placing orders for narcotics through darknet marketplaces. The drugs were reportedly shipped from the UK by co-accused Sandeep Sajeev, who handled overseas logistics and sourcing.

Investigators said Harikrishnan Aji Nawas managed cryptocurrency transactions for the cartel, facilitating payments received for drugs supplied and distributed by Babu. These digital transactions were allegedly structured to obscure money trails and evade law enforcement scrutiny.

The NCB has approached Interpol to help trace and secure the presence of the two accused who are currently based abroad. Efforts are underway to issue international alerts and coordinate with foreign law enforcement agencies to bring them to India to face trial, officials said.

As part of the probe, the NCB has so far seized assets worth more than ₹3 crore belonging to Edison Babu. These include a shopping complex in Muvattupuzha valued at around ₹85 lakh, cryptocurrency assets worth about ₹1.5 crore, and another immovable property located in Idukki district, officials added.

The investigation revealed that drugs ordered by Babu through darknet platforms were shipped as international parcels from abroad and were carefully concealed to evade detection by Customs authorities at international post offices. Once received in India, the narcotics were allegedly distributed to multiple locations across the country and, in some cases, re-exported to buyers overseas.

According to the NCB, the drugs were primarily sourced from a UK-based vendor known as “GungaDin”, who is believed to be an associate of Dr Seuss, also known as Tribe Seuss. Investigators suspect Tribe Seuss to be one of the world’s largest suppliers of LSD, operating through darknet markets and international courier networks.

NCB officials said the case highlights the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking networks that exploit encrypted technologies, cryptocurrency, and international logistics to run global narcotics operations. Further investigation is ongoing to identify additional links, financial trails, and potential associates connected to the Ketamelon cartel.