NCB files chargesheet in ‘Ketamelon’ darknet drug syndicate case; move to extradite UK, Australia-based operatives begins

Kochi: The Cochin Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has filed a chargesheet before the District Sessions Court, Ernakulam, in the case linked to the crackdown on ‘Ketamelon’, identified by investigators as India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicate, functioning from Kerala. With the filing of the chargesheet, the agency has initiated steps to issue Red Corner Notices (RCN) against two fugitive accused currently residing in the UK and Australia to facilitate their extradition.

The chargesheet, submitted on December 23, names four accused, including the alleged mastermind, Edison Babu, and his aide, Arun Thomas, both natives of Muvattupuzha and currently in custody, and two overseas operatives, Sandeep Sajeev and Harikrishnan, who are based in the UK and Australia, respectively.

What is the ‘Ketamelon’ case?
The Ketamelon case emerged earlier this year when the NCB launched ‘Operation Melon’, a nationwide probe into darknet-based narcotics trafficking. During the operation, investigators identified Ketamelon as the only ‘Level 4’ darknet vendor operating from India, which means a top-tier status in the darknet ecosystem, actively supplying LSD and Ketamine for nearly two years.

The syndicate allegedly sourced high-quality LSD from UK-linked networks and distributed it across major Indian cities and tourist hubs using postal and courier channels. The June crackdown led to the seizure of 847 LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine from Edison’s residence, along with cryptocurrency assets. A separate case involving narcotics seized from postal parcels during the same period is still under investigation. 

According to the NCB, Sandeep Sajeev, a native of North Paravur now residing in Hull City, UK, works in the logistics sector. Sources said that he used his professional expertise to receive drug consignments, primarily LSD ordered by Edison via darknet platforms, repackaged them to evade detection, and forwarded them to India.

Harikrishnan, a native of Kakkanad based in Australia, allegedly handled the money laundering side of the operation. He initially moved abroad for a hotel management career before turning to DJing, the agency said. He is accused of converting cryptocurrency payments into fiat currency and transferring the funds to Edison’s accounts in India, retaining a commission for his services.

The probe revealed that Edison ran a high-frequency dispatch system from his residence in Muvattupuzha. Parcels were allegedly sent at least four times a week using multiple post offices across Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts, as well as private courier services, to avoid creating a detectable pattern.

To minimise risk, the syndicate packed only two to three LSD blots per parcel. Arun Thomas was primarily tasked with handling these dispatches, NCB sources said.

The NCB has also filed a separate charge sheet linked to an offline Ketamine smuggling module connected to Edison. This involves Deol K Varghese, a resort operator in Idukki, and his wife Anju Davis, who were intercepted in 2022 while allegedly attempting to smuggle half a kilogram of Ketamine to Australia.

While investigating Ketamelon, the NCB established their link to Edison. However, the agency clarified that although Edison, Deol, Anju and Harikrishnan allegedly collaborated in Ketamine shipments to Australia, the couple was unaware of Edison’s separate darknet LSD operations. Edison is not named as an accused in the 2022 seizure case involving the couple.

Varanasi link and next steps
The NCB is also closing in on the source of the Ketamine. Intelligence points to a Varanasi-based supplier identified as ‘Pradeep Bhai.’ Although Edison claimed he did not know the supplier’s real identity, the NCB said it had gathered substantial leads. He has not yet been arraigned as an accused.

Sources said filing the charge sheet was mandatory to upgrade international lookout measures from Blue to Red Corner Notices. With that requirement met, the NCB is now moving through Interpol to extradite Sandeep Sajeev and Harikrishnan, even as further investigation into the wider network continues.