The dark web has developed into a centre for criminal activity in recent years, including human trafficking, cybercrime, and drug trafficking. And now, sources claim that Delhi is quickly becoming a hub for dark web syndicates.
Multiple criminal organisations are allegedly operating illegally in Delhi, taking advantage of the dark web's anonymity. Law enforcement agencies have a difficult time locating these groups because they use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to conduct anonymous transactions.
Drug trafficking, the smuggling of weapons, and money laundering are some of the most popular illicit acts carried out by these syndicates.
“To combat this growing trend, the Delhi Police have formed a special team of the Cyber Cell to monitor the activities of dark web syndicates. The team is working with other law enforcement agencies to track down and apprehend those involved in these illegal activities,” a senior police official stated.
“In recent months, the police have also carried out a number of successful operations against dark web syndicates. In one operation, they were able to arrest a group of individuals who were involved in selling drugs on the dark web. The police seized a large quantity of drugs and other illegal items during the raid,” the official added.
Seven people, including an IIM dropout, a BBA student, and a fashion designer, were detained by Delhi Police in September of last year for procuring illegal drugs like LSD, MDMA, and marijuana from abroad and distributing them via courier services to college students throughout the Delhi-National Capital Region, according to officials.
Separate arrests were made after police investigated tips, narrowed down the suspects, and recovered 220 g of hashish, 84 g of selected marijuana, 12.6 g of MDMA, 28 blotting papers of LSD, and 12.6 g of MDMA.
Moreover, drug trafficking organisations utilise the dark web to smuggle substances including hash, opium, marijuana, and ayurvedic opium-containing tablets like Kamini Vidrawan Ras and Barshasa to western nations.
The official explained that "transactions are typically performed through cryptocurrencies, after dealers are contacted through VPN [virtual private network]".
According to a dark net user who spoke with IANS, the "Onion domain"—for instance, xyz.onion instead of.com,.in, or.au, etc.—on ToR, which does not require a user registration like other domains, is increasingly being utilised for drug dealing.
"A hash key is generated when registering an Onion URL for hosting a user's website. The concerned website's URL is then input, and a network is created between the buyer and seller," the official added, noting that one can search the dark web website on some search engines, blogs, websites, and even through Telegram and WhatsApp groups.
By featuring them on Instagram, Telegram, and Skype for engagement, the syndicates entice clients with adverts that resemble a restaurant menu.
The expansion of dark web syndicates in Delhi continues to be of great concern. The usage of cryptocurrency makes it much more challenging to track the transactions, and the anonymity of the dark web makes it challenging for law enforcement organisations to find people engaging in unlawful activity.