Techie drug peddler traded online with bitcoins

“In 2016, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) cracked a case in which drugs were procured through the dark web. This year, this was probably the first such arrest. Bitcoins are usually used to avoid paper trail. However, what is shocking is that Nikhil received most of his drug parcels from countries like Myanmar and Afghanistan through India Post,” said a senior officer. 

“Dark web can be accessed only through complicated passwords. To enter a dark web page, at least four passwords are required and 500 bitcoins should be paid as the credit deposit. Nikhil Tiwari had access to the dark web when he was working in an IT firm in Guindy Industrial Estate. He quit the job seven months ago to become full-fledged drug dealer due to the demand in the city,” said the officer.

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Police first got wind of the drug peddling on East Coast Road, which is popular among the youth as a party destination, after screening the college students and beach house party organisers who were Nikhil’s major customers. “He had a group of men who catered to the drug requirements at such parties as well as among students,” said the officer.

Though Nikhil claimed to police that he operated alone, police are inquiring whether there were more people involved in the racket.