What Recent Buyers Should Do After a Vendor Bust (Ketamelon Case) : DarknetMarketsIndia | Torhoo darknet markets
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ncb-busts-top-darknet-based-drug-vendor-seizes-drugs-and-cryptocurrency/article69759694.ece
NCB busts top darknet-based drug vendor; seizes drugs and cryptocurrency
The ‘high-impact operation’ led by the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Kochi zonal unit resulted in the seizure of large quantities of LSD and ketamine, and digital assets worth ₹70 lakh
Published - July 01, 2025 06:39 pm IST - NEW DELHI
Devesh K PandeyDevesh K. Pandey
The Narcotics Control Bureau suspects that over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered by the vendor. File. Photo: X/@narcoticsbureau
The Narcotics Control Bureau suspects that over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered by the vendor. File. Photo: X/@narcoticsbureau
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a top darknet-based drug vendor named ‘Ketamelon’, which had been operating for the past two years. The vendor had established a wide network for shipping Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) to major cities, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, and Delhi, as well as in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The agency suspects that over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered by the vendor. “This high-impact operation, codenamed ‘Melon’ was led by the NCB Cochin zonal unit and culminated in the seizure of large quantities of LSD and ketamine (1,127 LSD blots and 131.66 gm of ketamine) as well as digital assets worth ₹70 lakh,” the agency said.
Challenges of combating narcotics to the fore at interstate conference of enforcement officials
According to the NCB, surveillance and intelligence gathering led to the interception of three postal parcels carrying 280 LSD blots in Kochi on June 28. During the subsequent search on the premises of the person suspected to have booked the parcels, 131.66 gm ketamine and 847 more LSD blots were seized. Both the suspect and his associate have been taken into custody.
“In this search, a lot of other incriminating material, including a pen drive containing a bootable KITES operating system used to access darknet markets, multiple cryptocurrency wallets, hard disks with incriminating documents, and most importantly, a hardware wallet holding approximately ₹70 lakh-worth USDT cryptocurrency were seized,” the NCB said, adding that custodial wallets on platforms “such as Binance” have been identified for further investigation and action.
The NCB said ‘Ketamelon’ was India’s only ‘Level 4’ darknet vendor operating actively over the past two years. “The name derives from the vendor’s early involvement in ketamine smuggling. Drugs were primarily sourced from a United Kingdom-based vendor Gunga Din, a known re-shipper of the globally infamous Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world,” it said.
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is about ₹35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at ₹2,500-₹4,000 each.
In 2023, the NCB had busted the then biggest darknet based LSD cartel named ‘Zambada’, seized 29,013 blots of LSD, 472 gm MDMA, and ₹51.38 lakh in cash, and arrested 14 persons. The alleged kingpins of that network are currently in judicial custody. “Zambada was the only cartel in the country with 5-star rating...in India operating from Delhi National Capital Region. Dr.Seuss AKA DS and TS (Tribe Seuss) were coordinating with the kingpin of Zambada cartel with plans to open outlets in India,” the NCB said.
The agency said the cartels on the darknet are rated on the scale of 1 to 5 levels based on the potency of the drug sold, and their “customer service”.
Also known as acid, blots, and stamp, LSD is a hallucinogenic drug. It is odourless, colourless, and tasteless, and can be painted onto small paper pieces that users lick or swallow
So with Ketamelon getting taken down by NCB in
Operation Melon, and multiple seizures, arrests, and digital evidence in play - this thread is for anyone who ordered recently and needs to lock down their safety.
If you’ve bought anything from Ketamelon (or any busted vendor) in the last few weeks or months - here’s what you should do right now.
1] Clean Your Digital Footprint
Delete all vendor messages (even PGP-signed).
Erase saved addresses, screenshots, photos of product, and wallet backups.
Clear Tor browser history and cache.
Remove darknet bookmarks and logins from your system.
If you used a burner email - log in and wipe everything, or delete it altogether.
2] Dispose of Packaging
Don’t just throw it in the bin.
Burn the label or shred it, especially if it contains your name or QR codes/barcodes.
Clean any fingerprints off ziplocks, vials, etc. before disposal.
If you still have product, consider flushing or burying - your call based on risk level.
3] Reformat or Switch Devices
If you used your main phone or PC for anything sketchy, it’s a good time to nuke it.
Use Tails, Whonix, or any clean OS moving forward.
If possible, change your SIM, and ditch your current VPN/account.
4] Move Your Crypto
If you used the same wallet more than once, move funds to a fresh wallet with new keys.
Don’t reuse receiving addresses. Ever.
Avoid Binance or custodial exchanges for now - NCB is watching them (as per the article).
If you paid via traceable method (UPI, banking, etc.) take that seriously.
5] Limit Movement / Talk
If the parcel came within the last 1-2 weeks, don’t brag about it or discuss it online.
Avoid calling attention to yourself via Telegram, Reddit, or any public chats.
Don’t respond to unknown numbers or “survey calls” - could be data fishing.
6] What Not to Do [
Don’t message the busted vendor’s profile asking
“what happened?”
Don’t post panic threads with your full timeline or tracking numbers.
Don’t keep substances around hoping it blows over. If you’re uneasy, flush it and move on.
7] If You’re Still Waiting on a Drop
Watch the tracking carefully. If it stalls in Kochi, Delhi, or is “held for inspection” - do not claim it.
If it returns to sender - let it.
Better to lose ₹3K worth of blotters than catch a case over it.
8] Understand Parcel Seizure Signs
Sometimes NCB doesn’t knock - they just silently seize and monitor. Watch for:
Tracking updates like
“Item retained”, “Inspection in progress”
Delivery attempts that fail without explanation
Parcel “Returned to sender” even if your address is correct
If you get a call from the post office asking strange questions, do not admit or confirm anything. Just say
“I didn’t order anything” or
“Must be a mistake.” Then lie low.
9] Watch for Soft Surveillance
If they think you're small-time, they might just observe - not raid:
Unmarked scooters parked near your building
Random "survey" or courier visits
Neighbors asking strange questions
Police or postmen revisiting you unusually soon
It’s usually a scare tactic - don’t engage. Go dark. No sudden moves
10] If You’re Ever Questioned
Say nothing beyond name and ID unless formally arrested.
Never admit to online orders - say you thought it was a gift or misdelivered.
Don’t unlock your phone. India doesn't yet have mandatory phone decryption.
Ask for a lawyer - even if it feels dramatic.
11] Long-Term Opsec Tips (for repeat buyers)
Rotate delivery names/addresses (use a trusted friend or hostel/mailbox spot).
Use proper air-gapped crypto wallets, not browser extensions or phone apps.
Keep product quantities micro - always below commercial trafficking thresholds.
Don’t trust Telegram “vendors” unless they’re verified on Dread or similar forums.
Avoid drop addresses linked to your legal ID (like Amazon pickups, etc.)
12] What NOT To Say in Public Forums
Never post tracking numbers or partial addresses
Avoid phrases like
“I just got my parcel from Ketamelon last week”
Don’t speculate on how they got caught (you might expose something real)
Don’t tag other users or discuss specific orders you made
No selfies. Ever. Not even hands holding tabs.
FINAL NOTE:
Not trying to spread fear, but we need transparency in these moments - especially when it’s a Level 4 vendor and crypto wallets are in custody. If you bought recently (like post-June 15th), consider lying low and taking precautions now, not later. NCB usually targets vendors, not customers - but when they seize tech and wallets, buyer info can surface if you were careless with opsec.
This isn’t fear-mongering - it’s common sense. If you're new to the game:
One bust ≠ your bust - but it’s a wake-up call to get serious about how you operate.
Stay safe. Stay silent. Stay smart.
If anyone has more info or protocols from past cases (Zambada, etc.), drop it below. Let’s help each other out.
Edit : Just now read the News of Controlled Deliveries Happening to Keta's Customers
DO NOT ACCEPT/TRACK ANY PACK YOU ARE YET TO RECEIVE FROM KETA
Edit-
Anyone who dealt with them post June 28th. That could be LE. Please keep your opsec in place people. Use the right OS. Tails or Whonix in LIVE MODE ONLY