Shimla Police Uncover Dark Web Drug Trafficking Network, Arrest Kingpin

In a significant crackdown, Shimla police have arrested Sandeep Shah, a key figure in a sophisticated drug trafficking network operating through the Dark Web. This operation has revealed over 50 related cases, exposing a larger network involving both local and international players. The use of virtual phone numbers has complicated tracking efforts, allowing criminals to operate with relative anonymity. As authorities adapt to these digital challenges, the investigation continues to uncover the extent of this narcotics operation, which has implications for communities across the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2025, 14:24 IST

Significant Drug Trafficking Network Disrupted

Shimla: In a significant development, the Shimla police have dismantled a complex narcotics trafficking operation that was utilizing the Dark Web and virtual phone numbers. After extensive digital surveillance and tracking efforts, authorities apprehended Sandeep Shah, a well-known interstate drug dealer, in Kolkata.

Shah was orchestrating a vast illegal supply chain of “chitta” (synthetic drugs) in the Shimla area, employing advanced digital technologies to evade capture.

The Dark Web's Role in Drug Trafficking

Sandeep Shah had been leveraging the Dark Web, often described as the internet's hidden side, to manage his drug operations discreetly for several years. The network operated without direct interactions between buyers and sellers, relying on virtual phone numbers (VoIP) and location-based deliveries to ensure confidentiality. Payments were made online, and deliveries were made to pre-arranged drop-off points.

Even when individuals caught with drugs led authorities back to the network, the encrypted digital pathways made it exceedingly challenging to identify the mastermind behind the operation.

Understanding Virtual Numbers and Their Risks

Virtual numbers, or VoIP numbers, function over the internet instead of conventional telecom systems. Accessible via smartphones, tablets, or computers, these numbers are difficult to trace, particularly since many are registered in foreign countries and lack verified KYC identities.

This anonymity complicates real-time tracking, enabling criminals like Shah and his associates to communicate freely across state and national boundaries.

Extensive Network Exposed: Over 50 Cases Linked

The operation led by the Shimla police has uncovered over 50 related cases, revealing a broader network involving not only Shah but also members of the Shahi Mahatma gang and foreign nationals, including a Nigerian individual arrested in Delhi. All were found to be utilizing virtual identities and dark web platforms for drug trafficking activities in Shimla and beyond.

In response to the evolving tactics of criminals, the Shimla police have adopted new cyber-investigation methods. A senior police official remarked, “As traffickers go digital, so must we. This is no longer merely a street-level crime but a comprehensive cyber-enabled narcotics network with international connections.”

Initial investigations indicate that the network may extend to suppliers in Punjab, Delhi, and potentially abroad. Young addicts and unemployed individuals are being recruited as local dealers while the masterminds remain concealed behind layers of digital anonymity.