UK authorities recently moved to shut down an illegal Bitcoin mining operation in Bradford. This operation represents both the massive energy footprint of cryptocurrency as well as the regulatory challenges it poses. Their operation was based in an industrial estate, but they had been illegally and dangerously stealing electricity at...
This is important because cryptocurrency and blockchain often intersect with some of the more nefarious corners of our online lives. A big recent bust by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) underscores this grim reality. Code-named “Operation MELON,” this high-stakes probe resulted in a surprising breakthrough. Our agents were able to...
The NCB has successfully taken down a large darknet drug cartel. During the raid, they arrested two other suspects that included the Muvattupuzha native who was said to be the kingpin of the operation. The high-stakes operation, which was subsequently code-named ‘Operation MELON,’ was an unbelievable success. Crypto assets worth...
The darknet lies deep within the underbelly of the internet, acting as an underground exchange for all manners of illegal conduct. Of these, drug trafficking is one of its most violent and horrible trades. A few months ago, Indian authorities scored a huge win, busting an elaborate darknet drug syndicate...
The NCB’s destruction of the “Ketamelon” drug syndicate. Unfortunately, this act acts as a jarring reminder that the darknet continues to flourish as a refuge for all things illicit. The seizure of LSD, Ketamine and ₹1 crore in Cryptocurrency is substantial. But before we rush to demonize crypto as the...
The recent NCB takedown of "Ketamelon," India's supposed top-tier darknet drug vendor, isn't just another headline about illicit online activity. This is a bright spotlight on crypto’s double-edged sword and an important opportunity for India to determine how it will approach the regulation of this technology in the future. We...
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a big international drug syndicate active on the darknet named ‘Ketamelon. In the joint operation, they confiscated a significant haul of drugs and cryptocurrency. The Cochin zonal unit intercepted three postal parcels seized on June 28th. Inside, they discovered a jaw-dropping 280,000 LSD...
Russian law enforcement have recently discovered an illegal mobile cryptocurrency mining operation which had been siphoning power from a local village. Authorities found the installation in the Pribaikalsky District of the Republic of Buryatia, eastern Siberia. The odd turn of events is the sixth stolen electricity case tied to cryptocurrency...
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) recently dismantled a significant cargo theft operation, recovering nearly $4 million in stolen goods. Among the other devices that were recovered were Bitcoin mining machines worth a whopping $2.7 million. This event has reverberated throughout the entire crypto industry. Most importantly, it raises immediate...
The landscape of cargo theft is quickly changing, and it’s not just about hot TVs and electronics anymore. These days, thieves are raiding a strange cocktail of luxury items including premium tequila and artisanal Bitcoin mining rigs. A recent $4 million cargo heist maybe serves to perfectly illustrate this trend....
