Dark web drug racket with Thailand link busted in Bengaluru; 10 arrested

Bengaluru: In a major crackdown on the city’s growing narcotics menace, the Amruthahalli police in Bengaluru have busted a large inter-state and international drug trafficking racket, arresting 10 accused, including seven drug peddlers from Kerala.

Police have seized narcotic substances worth nearly ₹4 crore from the arrested individuals, who allegedly sourced drugs from Thailand and sold them across Bengaluru using the dark web.

The arrested accused have been identified as Kushal, Sagar, Shashank, Wilson, Aashir Ali, Sajjad, Riyaz, Shiyab, Nisar and Abhinav. Among them, two are natives of Karnataka, one hails from Andhra Pradesh, while the remaining seven are from Kerala.

According to investigators, the accused used the dark web platform named ‘Team Kalki’ to place drug orders and coordinate sales, making it difficult for conventional surveillance systems to track their operations.

Thailand link and dark web operations
Police investigations revealed that a Kerala-based individual currently residing in Thailand played a key role in supplying drugs to Bengaluru. The contraband was allegedly sent via air routes and received by local handlers, who then distributed it across the city.

After reaching Bengaluru, the accused divided the city into specific zones for distribution, ensuring steady supply and minimizing overlap.

Students and IT professionals were prime targets
The drug racket primarily targeted college students, IT-BT employees and partygoers. Areas such as Yelahanka, Hebbal, Koramangala and Bellandur were among the key distribution hubs. Despite being part of the same network, the accused often clashed over territorial control.

Police said disputes over selling drugs outside assigned areas frequently led to violent confrontations, including a near-fatal assault on one of the peddlers. In some instances, the conflicts reportedly escalated to the brink of murder.

Seizures and ongoing investigation
During the operation, police seized 3 kg of hydro ganja, 10 kg of ganja, 500 LSD strips, two cars used for transporting drugs and 10 mobile phones used for coordination and transactions.

The prime accused responsible for large-scale supply is currently absconding, and a special team has been formed to trace and arrest him. Further investigation into the financial trail and international links is underway.

In a related development, the Talaghattapura police, in a separate operation, seized 78 kg of ganja worth ₹60 lakh. The intensified action against drug networks comes in the wake of recent embarrassment to the police force, after Maharashtra police exposed drug factories operating under multiple Bengaluru police station limits, leading to the suspension of police inspectors.

Following strong criticism from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Bengaluru police have stepped up vigilance, vowing sustained action against drug syndicates operating in the city.

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