To deal with the growing issue of drug trafficking through digital means, the Centre has established a Special Task Force on Darknet and cryptocurrency. This task force will specifically monitor suspicious transactions involving drugs conducted on the darknet. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India’s primary agency for drug law enforcement, is at the forefront of this initiative.

The NCB has been closely tracking cryptocurrency payments linked to the purchase of narcotics as part of its broader strategy to curb drug trafficking in the country.

92 Cases Since 2020

Since 2020, India has recorded 92 cases involving the use of the darknet and cryptocurrencies for drug transactions, according to Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs. These statistics were presented in response to parliamentary questions from opposition MP Jose K. Mani, who inquired about the increasing use of technology in drug trafficking activities.

Year

No. of Cases involving Darknet & Cryptocurrency

No. of cases involving Courier/ Parcels

2020

03

259

2021

49

250

2022

08

240

2023

21

241

2024 (Upto April)

11

35

TOTAL

92

1025

Source: Narcotics Control Bureau

Breaking down the figures, the NCB reported three cases in 2020, 49 in 2021, eight in 2022, 21 in 2023, and 11 cases up until April 2024. However, the data does not specify the exact number of cases that were exclusively related to the darknet or cryptocurrency.

In the same period, 1,025 incidents involving parcels or couriers used for drug trafficking were also documented. This highlights the diverse methods being employed by traffickers to distribute illegal substances.

In addition to monitoring, Rai emphasised that various preventive measures are in place, with the newly formed task force playing a crucial role in overseeing and analyzing suspicious transactions to prevent drug trafficking.

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