The Cochin Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Monday (December 29, 2025) filed a chargesheet before the District Sessions Court, Ernakulam, in one of the two cases registered in connection with darknet-based drug trafficking busted earlier this year.
The enforcement agency had seized 1,127 suspected LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) blots, 131.66 g of Ketamine, and crypto assets worth ₹90 lakh during the operation conducted in June. The operation, code-named MELON, claimed to have successfully dismantled India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicate operating under the alias “Ketamelon.”
The NCB had earlier arrested two accused – Edison Babu, the alleged mastermind behind the trafficking, and his accomplice Arun Thomas, who allegedly ran drug errands for him. Both are residents of Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam. The chargesheet also arraigned two more accused. Sandeep Sajeev, originally from North Paravur and now residing in Hull City, United Kingdom, is accused of receiving deliveries of drugs, mostly LSD, ordered by Edison over the darknet and repackaging them before sending them back to India. Harikrishnan Aji Nawas, the fourth accused traced to Australia, allegedly converted cryptocurrency received by Edison as payment for drugs into currency and wired it to multiple accounts maintained by him. The NCB has issued blue corner notices against the two to confirm their respective locations and has sought evidence from U.K. and Australian authorities.
Besides, the investigation remains open against an entity identified as Pradeep Bhai from Varanasi, who allegedly supplied Ketamine to Edison, which was sold by him on darknet. Apart from dealing in LSD via the darknet, Edison also trafficked Ketamine offline within India. The NCB had arrested Deoal K.V. and his wife Anju Davis, who dealt in Ketamine and were associated with Edison.
Assets seized
So far, assets worth over ₹3 crore belonging to Edison have been seized by the NCB. These include a shopping complex in Muvattupuzha valued at around ₹85 lakhs, cryptocurrency worth ₹1.50 crore, and one another property in Idukki.
The NCB had registered two cases in connection with Ketamelon network. First was the seizure of alleged drugs from three postal parcels on June 28, 2025. This was followed by a second case involving the seizure of 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 g of Ketamine during a raid at Edison’s residence. The chargesheet filed is in relation to the seizure from the house of Edison Babu.
Beyond physical seizures, the investigation was largely digital, involving the collection of IP details, communications from Edison’s modem, and forensic analysis of CPUs. The investigation also involved international evidence gathering through MLAT.
Investigations revealed that “Ketamelon” was India’s only Level 4 darknet vendor — a top-tier status in the country — operating actively over the past two years. The name derives from the vendor’s early involvement in Ketamine smuggling.
Reportedly, the drugs were primarily sourced from a U.K.-based vendor, GungaDin, a known re-shipper of the globally infamous Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD supplier in the world. “Ketamelon” had established a widespread network, shipping LSD to major cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, and regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over the last two and half years, ‘’Ketamelon’’ reportedly shipped around 1200 consignments.
Published – December 29, 2025 06:10 pm IST
