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On Wednesday, Bengaluru police arrested three drug peddlers by chance. This revealed many unknown and dark aspects of the narcotics trade and online drug racket, that was faced for the first time. Students are buying drugs using Bitcoins.
Till now straight transactions and traditional currency were involved in the narcotics trade. Now the police are looking to track money trail and special software used to access websites and are assessing the magnitude of this misty business.
Police officers investigating the case said, "The students may find the internet more secure. Also, buying from an agent in the city could be costlier as they were dealers rather than users.”
Purchase of drugs using Internet
The banned Ecstasy pills were bought from a dark website by three students. The drugs were delivered through courier, which were in turn sold to college students.
The process involves a technical aspect, which the cops are looking into. A special software is needed to buy drugs online. The browser will get special access to the dark site through this software. It hides IP address and throws off agencies looking for information.
Bitcoins to complete drug purchase
To complete the transaction, the buyer requires Bitcoins, as they facilitate payments without revealing identity, although not entirely. Mixed services are also used by the buyers or students to hide the transfers of bitcoins.
Exchanges often demand identity proofs. So, the bitcoins can be tracked back to the buyer's identity through the exchange from where they were brought. Some dark sites also ask for more authentication before allowing the buyer to make a purchase.
-Sumana
