The Gujarat Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) has busted a cryptocurrency network worth nearly ₹226 crore, allegedly linked to terror financing, dark web drug trafficking, and international money laundering operations.
According to a local report, authorities arrested nine accused from Gujarat, Mumbai, and Haryana in what investigators described as a major breakthrough in India’s growing crackdown on crypto-enabled criminal networks.
The investigation allegedly uncovered links to Hamas-linked channels, Yemen’s Houthi-linked group Ansar Allah, Iran’s IRGC-QF, and sanctioned Russian crypto exchange Garantex.
Hamas-linked wallets and dark web transactions under probe
Investigators said one of the main accused, Mohammed Zubair Popatia, allegedly operated a crypto wallet that had previously been frozen by Israeli authorities over suspected Hamas-linked activity.
Police claim the syndicate used anonymous cryptocurrencies such as Monero and converted illicit funds into USDT before routing money through hawala and angadiya channels tied to international criminal networks.
Authorities also linked the operation to dark web platforms, including “ARTEMISLAB.CC,” which investigators say was used for drug trafficking and laundering operations.
Gujarat authorities used AI and blockchain forensics
Earlier today, Gujarat’s Deputy CM, said the Cyber Centre of Excellence relied on blockchain forensics and AI-based tracking tools to identify the network and trace suspicious crypto flows.
According to officials, the operation highlights how terror-linked groups and cybercriminals are increasingly using digital assets, privacy coins, and dark web infrastructure to evade traditional financial surveillance.
Police also seized 13 mobile phones, laptops, and cash during the raids.
PRAHAAR: India’s expansion on anti-terror crypto
The crackdown also comes as India strengthens its “PRAHAAR” strategy aimed at blocking terrorists’ use of crypto wallets, dark web marketplaces, and encrypted financial channels.
In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled the counter-terrorism strategy of India, ‘PRAHAAR’, which highlighted how Indian agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and State Investigation Agency (SIA), have increased monitoring of crypto transactions tied to terror financing and organized crime.
Police have filed cases against the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, including provisions related to aiding terrorist activities and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Authorities also urged the public not to rent out bank accounts or participate in unknown crypto transactions for commission-based payments, warning that such activities are increasingly being exploited by organized criminal networks.
Also read: Digital South Trust Helps India Fight Crypto Crime With Blockchain Training
