The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has conducted the largest-ever seizure operation in the country, confiscating approximately 15,000 LSD blots and apprehending six individuals.
The operation dismantled an international drug trafficking network that operated on the darknet.
The seized LSD blots are estimated to be worth over `10 crore in the international market, with each blot valued at around `5,000-7,000.
The six individuals who were arrested, all of whom are students and youngsters, aimed to make “easy money” by operating anonymously within the hidden layers of the Internet through apps and messenger services like WICKR.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the NCB for their accomplishment, highlighting the effective coordination between cyber vigilance and human intelligence.
“Due to enhanced vigilance and improved coordination, drug seizures in India have significantly increased in recent years,” Shah stated on Twitter. LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic hallucinogenic drug. It is commonly trafficked by applying it to blots, roughly half the size of a stamp paper, and can be consumed by licking or swallowing.
“This is the largest-ever seizure of LSD blots in the country during a single operation. So far, six individuals in their twenties have been arrested, and we are currently pursuing another cartel,” said NCB Deputy Director General (Northern Region), Gyaneshwar Singh, during a press conference.
A total of 14,961 blots were seized during the operation, which lasted approximately two weeks. The blots are of the “gammagoblin and holy spirit of asura” brands, according to Singh.
LSD abuse is prevalent among young people and can lead to serious health issues, Singh emphasised.
Referred to as ‘acid’ in illegal drug circles, LSD is odourless, colourless, and tasteless. It causes users to lose their sense of space, distance, and time, significantly affecting their judgment and behavior, officials explained.
Possession of 0.1 grams of LSD (around six blots), which is considered a commercial quantity of the hallucinogenic drug, invites strict legal action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Those found trading or consuming LSD can be denied bail and face rigorous imprisonment, an NCB officer noted.
Deputy DG Singh of the NCB revealed that the seized LSD was sourced from Poland and the Netherlands. The syndicate involved in trafficking the drugs operated across various states, accepting payments through cryptocurrency and UPI. The contraband was shipped through couriers and postal networks.
The Darknet refers to the concealed Internet platform used for illicit activities such as drug sales, the exchange of pornographic content, and other illegal transactions. It operates through the hidden channels of the onion router (ToR) to evade law enforcement agencies.
In addition to the LSD blots, the agency also seized 2.32 kilograms of ganja and Rs 4.65 lakh in cash. Bank deposits totalling Rs 20 lakh were frozen, Singh added.