The Gujarat Cyber Center of Excellence has identified a substantial cryptocurrency network in Ahmedabad, which is reportedly involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and financing terrorism. This extensive operation has culminated in the arrest of nine individuals from various locations across India. Investigators have traced transactions amounting to nearly Rs 226.54 crore through crypto wallets associated with the accused.

Officials disclosed that the probe revealed a complex web functioning in multiple Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Karnal, with alleged connections to international criminal organisations and dark web drug markets. The network is also thought to have ties to groups implicated in terror financing.

The Superintendent of Police at the Cyber Center remarked that suspicious transactions were linked to ARTEMISLAB.CC, an alleged illicit online drug sales platform active on the dark web. These transactions reportedly directed investigators to cryptocurrency wallets connected to Mohsin Sadiq Molani, a resident of Ahmedabad, and other users in India.

Use of Privacy-Centric Cryptocurrencies in Operations

During the investigation, it was noted that the accused utilised Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, to obscure the movement of funds. Investigators identified transactions approaching USD 20 million (Rs 193 crore) conducted through Monero, which is prevalent on the dark web due to its anonymity features.

Authorities also highlighted that Monero’s usage has frequently emerged in investigations related to illegal trading and terror financing, reinforcing its association with clandestine activities. The sophisticated nature of these operations has raised significant concerns among law enforcement agencies.

It was uncovered that one of the arrested individuals, Mohammad Zubair Mohammad Hussain Popatia, managed a crypto wallet that had previously been frozen by Israel’s National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) in 2025. This wallet was allegedly connected to organisations associated with Hamas as well as crypto exchanges located in Dubai.

Investigations Reveal International Links and Ongoing Criminal Activities

Further investigations implicated the network in transactions linked to crypto wallets sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), including entities tied to Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthis), Iran’s IRGC-QF, and the sanctioned Russian crypto exchange Garantex. These findings underline the extensive reach and complexity of the operations involved.

Mohsin Molani is reportedly noted for accepting drug orders for customers in the United Kingdom via Telegram groups and other online platforms. Allegedly, these orders were funneled to Mohammad Zubair Popatia, who is said to have overseen the supply chain from Dubai.

Another key figure in the operation, Isam Salman Ghulam Ali Ansari, is currently serving time in a UK prison following a conviction for drug trafficking and money laundering in 2024. Investigators suspect that the network has continued its activities even during his incarceration, highlighting the persistent nature of the criminal organisation.

The authorities revealed that money laundering operations involved the use of hawala channels and “dirty crypto,” which was converted into USDT to facilitate cross-border transactions supporting illicit activities. As of now, multiple charges have been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and various sections of the Information Technology Act related to organised crime, terror financing, conspiracy, and cyber fraud.

Furthermore, it has been disclosed that 935 complaints had previously been filed on the NCCRP portal against bank accounts linked to Binance P2P that are allegedly associated with the accused. Ongoing investigations aim to explore the international connections of this extensive network.

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