In a notable crackdown on drug trafficking through the darknet, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully dismantled a nationwide distribution network known as “Team Kalki.” Active since January 2025, this syndicate was utilizing darknet marketplaces and the encrypted messaging application Session for its operations.

Following a comprehensive three-month intelligence-gathering phase, the NCB conducted a coordinated operation in New Delhi that led to the arrest of key individuals involved in the network.

Substantial Drug Seizures Recorded

During the operation, the NCB recovered a significant quantity of illicit substances, including 2,338 LSD blotters, 160 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills weighing a total of 77.517 grams, 73.612 grams of charas, 3.642 grams of amphetamine, and 3.6 kilograms of liquid MDMA.

These drugs were discovered across 13 domestic parcels and two international shipments originating from the Netherlands, all connected to the operation of “Team Kalki.” This highlights the increasing trend of using darknet channels for the distribution of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Background of Accused Individuals

The investigation identified Anurag Thakur and his associate Vikas Rathi as the primary operators of the darknet vendor “Team Kalki.” Both individuals are known habitual offenders, previously arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Rathi had been incarcerated in Tihar Jail in relation to a charas trafficking case, while Thakur was serving time for a methamphetamine trafficking offense. Their time in prison is believed to have facilitated their collaboration in establishing the darknet network.

Operational Techniques and Delivery Methods

The syndicate initially operated on the dark web forum “Dread,” where they managed to maintain a four-star rating, reflecting a large volume of successful transactions. Subsequently, their operations expanded onto the encrypted messaging application Session for more secure order fulfillment.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the network employed advanced strategies to evade law enforcement scrutiny, sourcing LSD and MDMA from international suppliers in the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany. Orders were placed using anonymous platforms, enhancing the operational security of their distribution methods.

Innovative Delivery Strategies Uncovered

Upon receiving orders, one member of the syndicate would pass the details to an associate responsible for packaging and dispatching narcotics. Various courier services were used to send drugs nationwide. Notably, a “dead drop” delivery technique was employed for certain transactions, wherein parcels were left at pre-selected locations instead of given directly to buyers.

This method was particularly utilized in select areas of Delhi for repeated customers, while other consignments primarily utilized Speed Post and different courier services, with a different booking office used for each dispatch to avoid detection.

Wider Reach and Financial Operations

The investigation revealed that the network had potentially dispatched over 1,000 consignments across various states, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka. Some shipments were intercepted before delivery. Electronic devices related to the operation were seized, along with a cryptocurrency wallet that facilitated transactions. Payments were primarily made using cryptocurrencies linked to unhosted wallets such as Monero and USDT, with the proceeds being strategically laundered through several intermediary wallets.

Continuous Investigation Underway

The NCB is currently expanding its investigation to identify additional associates, trace financial movements, and map the international supply chain connected to “Team Kalki.” This operation is part of ongoing national efforts by the NCB to combat darknet-enabled drug trafficking and synthetic drug networks.

In the past, the NCB has conducted significant operations targeting organized drug syndicates and dismantling related supply chains from international darknet markets.

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