Latest news with #LSD
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Teen orders LSD drugs online, nabbed while accepting parcel
Bhopal: Cops posing as postmen alongside an actual postmen arrested a teenager red-handed after he ordered Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) drug through Dark Web in the city. A joint team of Bhopal Crime Branch and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) (Bhopal branch), on Wednesday arrested the teenager. The accused was ordering the banned substance online through Dark Web and receiving it via postal parcels. He was caught while accepting the parcel. Crime branch officials said that the 19-year-old accused is a student and member of private WhatsApp and Telegram groups through which clients order the synthetic drugs. Police are also investigating the group. Officials maintained that this may be the first case of LSD trafficking in Bhopal. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. According to additional DCP (Crime Branch) Shailendra Singh Chouhan, the crime branch was working on intelligence inputs regarding illegal narcotics smuggling in the city. Acting on a tip-off from NCB Bhopal, police learned that a parcel containing LSD was arriving from Kerala to the Sikandari Sarai Post Office, Chandbad Road, addressed to a resident of Sikandari Sarai, Chandbad Road, Bhopal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Schwerte: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo As part of the operation, crime branch officers followed the postal delivery. When the postman reached the given address and called out for the recipient, Karan Sharma came forward, accepted the sealed parcel, and signed the delivery slip. At that moment, the officers moved in and apprehended him. Upon interrogation, the accused identified himself as Karan Sharma, a resident of Chandbad in Bajaria in the city. Karan confessed to ordering the parcel through an online website on Dark Web using his mobile phone and revealed that it contained LSD. The parcel details matched the intelligence provided by NCB. He also admitted to ordering such substances online previously, after learning about the process via YouTube. A total of 1.96 gram of LSD was recovered from the parcel. Karan Sharma was formally arrested and booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. The NCB assisted in the entire operation, and further investigations are ongoing. Additional DCP Chouhan said that police have launched further inquiries to trace the drug supply chain and identify other potential customers involved through Telegram and other digital platforms.
The Diplomat
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
End of the Line: Hong Kong's Last Opposition Voice Falls Silent
As Hong Kong's last lawful pro-democracy group, the folding of the League of Social Democrats has brought an era of public dissent to a close. Hong Kong's League of Social Democrats (LSD) party announced its decision to disband on June 29, citing 'immense political pressure' from Beijing. There was no public protest, no police intervention, no courtroom drama. But the implications are serious and far-reaching. In the span of five years, the city's opposition has been steadily and deliberately dismantled. Laws have been rewritten, activists jailed, accounts frozen, and spaces for dissent shut down. As Hong Kong's last lawful pro-democracy group, the LSD was known for its protests, defense of civil liberties, and push for social equity. Its departure has brought an era of public dissent to a close. Established in 2006, the League of Social Democrats became one of the rare political groups in Hong Kong to openly challenge both the Hong Kong government and Beijing's growing presence in the city's affairs. While other groups adopted more moderate strategies, the LSD remained openly confrontational. This stance often drew political and legal consequences. Its founder Leung Kwok-hung, commonly known as Long Hair, is currently serving time under the National Security Law. Jimmy Sham, another central figure, was detained in 2021 for allegedly plotting to subvert state power. He was released in April 2025 after nearly four years in custody, although proceedings against the wider group are still underway. With repeated warnings to disband from Beijing, more members were barred from running for office or pressured to flee. Even with its ranks shrinking, the LSD maintained a visible presence. It continued to participate in protests, spoke out on political arrests, and worked to preserve space for public expression as the authorities cracked down on dissent. Since the enactment of the National Security Law in June 2020, authorities have arrested more than 330 individuals and convicted more than 160 under its provisions. The most high-profile case involved the arrest of 47 pro-democracy figures who participated in unofficial primary elections in 2020. Authorities described their effort to coordinate electoral strategy as a national security threat. Many of those arrested were elected district councilors. Several individuals have been held in custody for extended periods without trial, while others were convicted in 2024 and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to ten years. The crackdown has extended beyond political parties. In August 2020, media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested at his home, and his newspaper, Apple Daily, was raided by over 200 police officers. Within a year, Apple Daily shut down, its journalists faced prosecution, and its assets were frozen by authorities. Stand News, another prominent outlet, shut down in December 2021 after a police raid led to multiple arrests. The Civic Party, alongside the LSD, was one of Hong Kong's largest traditional opposition parties. It disbanded in 2023 after facing mounting political pressure and disqualification of its members from elections. By late 2024, not a single active pro-democracy organization remained, except the LSD. Hong Kong's legislature no longer includes political opposition. Electoral reforms imposed by Beijing in 2021 introduced a vetting mechanism that ensures only 'patriots' can run for office. The number of directly elected seats was reduced to 20 out of 90, with all candidates screened by a pro-Beijing committee, leaving no space for dissent. In 2022, John Lee, a former security chief who led the crackdown on the 2019 pro-democracy protests, became Hong Kong's chief executive. He was chosen in an uncontested vote by a 1,461-member committee made up largely of Beijing loyalists, highlighting the city's new political order. Judicial independence has also narrowed in scope. Judges appointed by the chief executive preside over national security cases. Proceedings are often closed to the public, and bail is rarely granted. According to government figures, over 90 percent of defendants charged under the National Security Law have been denied bail, a sharp reversal of long-standing legal norms in the city. The institutional redesign also extends into education and the civil service. From 2021, civil servants must take loyalty oaths affirming their allegiance to the government and the Basic Law. Teachers have been dismissed for holding critical views or for allegedly failing to promote 'correct' national values. A new curriculum promotes patriotism in schools, while universities have purged books by pro-democracy scholars. Memorials commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have been dismantled, and public commemorations are now banned. The international response has been measured. Governments including the United States and the United Kingdom have issued sanctions targeting specific officials and voiced concern over the erosion of civil liberties. However, these actions have had a limited impact on policy outcomes. The Chinese central government has framed developments in Hong Kong as matters of domestic governance, placing them largely beyond the reach of external influence. As a result, the 'One Country, Two Systems' model appears to have undergone a significant transformation in both tone and substance. Many former activists now contribute from abroad or engage in more discreet forms of civic involvement within the city. Public protests have faded, replaced by private acts of remembrance and reflection. Political dialogue continues through informal gatherings, digital spaces, and creative expression. The 2019 mass protests are no longer publicly acknowledged, and commemorating them carries legal risk. In its final statement, the LSD called on Hong Kong residents to uphold their values 'in their own ways.' That message reflects a shift in political expression, less visible but still present. While traditional activism has faded, core democratic ideals endure in private and informal spaces. The LSD's closure marks more than the end of one group; it signals a broader transformation of civic life. Open debate may have receded, but the memory of those ideals remains, carried forward by those committed to remembering.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
NCB busts ‘Ketamelon' darknet drug syndicate, 2 held in raids
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted India's most-prolific drugs syndicate being operated on darknet under the name of 'Ketamelon', and arrested two accused, including a Kochi resident who was running the network on dark web, officials said on Tuesday. Officials said they have recovered 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine contraband, and digital assets worth around ₹ 70 lakh. (HT PHOTO) Though the agency did not divulge the identity of the two accused citing ongoing raids across different states, officials said they have recovered 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine contraband, and digital assets worth around ₹ 70 lakh. Ketamelon, according to NCB officials, was the country's only Level-4 darknet vendor—a top-tier status in India—operating actively over the past two years on the darknet. 'The name derives from the vendor's (arrested accused) early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Drugs were primarily sourced from a UK-based vendor Gunga Din, a known reshipper of the globally infamous Dr Seuss (also known as DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world,' Neeraj Gupta, deputy director general of NCB, said. The LSD blots (a small piece of absorbent paper impregnated with lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD) seized by NCB sleuths bore the imprint Gunga Din and Rudyard Kipling. Gunga Din is a famous 1890 poem by Kipling. In recent years, NCB officials have observed that each consignment of LSD — a psychedelic drug — bears the imprint (name or symbol) of the main supplier. In the present case, Gupta said that once the orders were received on darknet, the LSD blots were sent to buyers through couriers. Probe so far has revealed that the accused had sold the LSD blots to buyers in Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, as well as regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 'Over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹ 35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at ₹ 2,500- ₹ 4,000 each,' the officer added. The federal agency said that following a specific intelligence, its officials from the Cochin zone on June 28 intercepted three postal parcels in Kochi, carrying 280 LSD blots. The probe revealed the identity of the Ketamelon darknet operator, whose house was raided the following day, during which NCB officials found 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine, the agency added. LSD — also commonly known as acid, blots, and stamps — is a potent hallucinogenic drug, without any colour, taste or smell. It is painted or dipped into stamps and licked or swallowed by users. In 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet-based LSD cartel named 'Zambada', and seized 29,013 blots, 472 grams of MDMA and ₹ 51.38 lakh in cash and arrested 14 people in different operations.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
NCB busts major LSD darknet vendor, seizes over 1,100 ‘stamps'
New Delhi: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a major darknet-based drug syndicate named Ketamelon, which supplied drugs to distributors and end users across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The syndicate shipped LSD to major cities, delivering 600 shipments in 14 months, the probe revealed. The suspects revealed that they sourced the drugs from a UK-based vendor, 'Gunga Din', a known re-shipper of the globally infamous Dr. Seuss (aka DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,127 LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine, with an estimated value of Rs 35 lakhs. Additionally, digital assets worth Rs 70 lakhs were seized, including USDT cryptocurrency. Two suspects were taken into custody, and further investigation is in progress," said a senior officer. Ketamelon, the NCB said, was India's only Level-4 darknet vendor, operating actively over the past two years, deriving its name from the vendor's early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Ketamelon established a widespread network, shipping LSD to Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, and Patna, besides Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. T Tired of too many ads? go ad free now he investigation began after intercepting 280 LSD blots from three postal parcels on June 28, 2025. Further probe led to the seizure of 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine. Additionally, incriminating materials were recovered, including a pen drive containing a bootable 'Kites' operating system used to access darknet markets, cryptocurrency wallets, and hard disks with incriminating documents. LSD (lysergic diethylamide acid) is the most powerful hallucinogenic drug available. They mostly come as 'stamps', and a sheet of LSD has around 100 of them that people lick or swallow. It is also available in the form of drops and consumed after being poured on sugar cubes. Each LSD stamp or drop is priced at Rs 3,500-5,000, depending upon quality and potency, which is measured in micrograms. The most powerful LSD sold to date has been 1,200 micrograms. An LSD or acid 'trip' is described as a psychedelic experience that alters the state of consciousness, causing significant changes to a person's thoughts and feelings. The experience lasts anywhere between 8 and 12 hours. "LSD alters the sense of space, distance, and time. People say they 'hear' colours or 'see' sounds and have strange feelings and strong emotions," said a source. Earlier in 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet-based LSD cartel named "Zambada", seizing 29,013 blots of LSD, 472 grams of MDMA, and Rs 51.38 lakh cash, and arrested 14 persons, out of which the main kingpins are under judicial custody. The Zambada cartel was the only cartel in the country with a 5-star rating most of the time in India, operating from Delhi NCR. Dr. Seuss, aka DS and TS (Tribe Seuss), coordinated with the kingpin of the Zambada cartel with plans to open outlets in India. The cartels on the darknet are rated on a scale of 1 star to 5 stars based on the potency of the drug sold and their customer service.
India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Delhi: NCB dismantles India's most prolific darknet drug syndicate Ketamelon
New Delhi (India), July 1 (ANI): The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully dismantled India's most prolific darknet drug syndicate, 'Ketamelon,' in a high-impact operation codenamed 'MELON'. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,127 LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine, with an estimated street value of approximately 35.12 lakhs, along with digital assets worth 70 lakhs, totaling over 1 crore. Following weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, 280 LSD blots were intercepted on 28.06.2025 from three postal parcels in Cochin. Investigation in the matter confirmed that these parcels were booked by the suspect. During the search of his house on the next day, i.e., June 29th, 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine were seized. In this search, a lot of other incriminating material including a pen drive containing a bootable KITES OS used to access darknet markets, multiple cryptocurrency wallets, hard disks with incriminating documents and most importantly, a hardware wallet holding approximately 70 lakhs worth of USDT cryptocurrency were seized. Additionally, custodial wallets on platforms such as Binance have been identified for further investigation and action. Investigations revealed that 'Ketamelon' was India's only Level 4 darknet vendor, a top-tier status in India, 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 UK-based vendor, Gunga Din, a known reshipper of the globally infamous Dr Seuss (aka DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world. 'Ketamelon' had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with over 600 shipments delivered in the last 14 months The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately 35.12 lakhs, with LSD blots priced at 2,500-4,000 each. Earlier in 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet based LSD cartel named 'Zambada', seizing 29,013 blots of LSD, 472 grams of MDMA & Rs.51.38 Lakh cash and arrested 14 persons out of which main kingpins are under judicial custody. Zambada cartel was the only cartel in the country with 5-star rating of most time in India operating from Delhi NCR. Dr Seuss AKA DS and TS (Tribe Seuss) were coordinating with the kingpin of Zambada cartel with plans to open outlets in India. The cartels on darknet are rated on scale of 1 star to 5 star based on their potency of drug sold and their customer service. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a hallucinogenic drug. Hallucinogens change the way people sense the world around them. It is also known as acid, blots, stamps etc. LSD is odourless, colorless, and tasteless. It can be painted onto small squares of paper that people lick or swallow. LSD causes the senses of space, distance, and time to become altered. People might say they 'hear' colors or 'see' sounds, and have strange feelings and strong emotions. Both suspect and his associate have been taken into custody and further investigation is in progress. This seizure exemplifies NCB's commitment to successfully dismantle the supply of synthetic drugs facilitated via the Darknet and cryptocurrency channels to accomplish the vision of DRUG FREE INDIA. To fight against drug trafficking, NCB seeks support of the citizens. Any person can share information related to the sale of narcotics by calling the MANAS- National Narcotics Helpline Toll Free Number-1933. The identity of the caller is kept confidential. (ANI)
