How a Digital Drug Dealer Quietly Built a Postal Drug Empire

Postal Drug Empire

It turns out you don’t need a dark alley or a secret handshake to run a drug business these days. In Kerala, an engineer named Edison Babu managed to build a nationwide drug operation from his home, and he did it by using the regular postal service—just like anyone else sending a package.

 

Here’s how it all unfolded:

 

The Man Behind the Operation: Edison Babu looked like any other local entrepreneur. After returning home during the pandemic, he set up what seemed to be a small online business. In reality, he was running 'Ketamelon,' a major darknet drug marketplace.

 

Using the Post Office: Instead of risky handoffs, Babu simply mailed drugs through India Post. He’d show up at the post office, blend in with the crowd, and send out packages to buyers all over the country.

 

How Big Was It? Over a year and a half, his network shipped more than 600 parcels containing drugs like LSD and ketamine. When authorities finally caught up, they found over 1,100 LSD blots, 131 grams of ketamine, and cryptocurrency worth ₹70 lakh.

 

Why It Worked: Payments were made in cryptocurrency, which made it tough for investigators to follow the money. Plus, the postal system had gaps—parcels weren’t always scanned, and sender details weren’t always checked, so illegal shipments often slipped through.

 

The Crackdown: The Narcotics Control Bureau eventually launched Operation MELON and arrested Babu. Now, they’re pushing for better checks at post offices and smarter ways to spot suspicious packages.

 

A Growing Trend: Babu’s story isn’t unique. More digital drug dealers are using apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, along with the dark web, to reach buyers—especially in cities where people are comfortable with crypto.

 

The case shows just how much the drug trade has changed, and how law enforcement is racing to keep up.

 

Source: Economic Times