India’s NCB Uncovers The Usage of Darknet and Cryptocurrency for Drug Trafficking

Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency NCB has observed the use of the darknet and crypto for drug trafficking in 38 cases over the past three years, according to information provided to the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

NCB Deploys Special Task Force on Darknet And Crypto

Officials stated that a special task force on the darknet and cryptocurrency has been established to monitor drug-related suspicious transactions on the darknet. According to the 2019 survey report from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai told the Rajya Sabha that drug consumption in India has increased compared to the 2004 survey report and is a major concern. According to Rai, the Centre has taken a number of steps to improve the NCB. The Union Budget has given MHA more than Rs 1.96 lakh crore this year. This figure is about 6% higher than the Rs 1.85 lakh crore that was allocated in the budget for 2022-23.

Use of Cryptocurrencies for Nefarious Activities

Cryptocurrencies have often come under criticism for their usage by criminals and like-minded people. Last week a New Jersey man admitted to paying $20,000 in crypto for the murder of a 14-year-old girl to prevent her from testifying in a criminal case involving child pornography. Its usage is more rampant in drug trafficking. In March last year. it was reported that drug cartels in Mexico are increasingly relying on crypto for selling drugs and laundering their proceeds. In October, U.S. authorities accused John Khuu, a California resident, of conspiring to import prohibited substances illegally and laundering its proceeds using Bitcoin. Khuu and his accomplices allegedly laundered more than $5,350,000 throughout the conspiracy.

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