Now, QR codes on Panaji poles open drug menus on dark web

Panaji: A number of QR codes pasted on electricity poles around Panaji have led to a police investigation, after it was discovered that scanning the code takes you to the dark web, to a marketplace of MDMA, cocaine, mephedrone, amphetamine, and other narcotics.

While Goa police filed an FIR against unknown persons for defacement of public property, they’re also trying to identify the accused trying to sell drugs in Goa via the dark web.North Goa SP Rahul Gupta told TOI that on scanning the QR code, the user is taken to the dark web, where there are two locations — Goa and Thailand — you can order drugs in. However, once Goa is selected, it doesn’t accept the order, he said.Police said that while the accused affixed the code on electricity poles, it appears that the codes haven’t been activated, and hence orders cannot be placed to deliver narcotics in Goa.Police added that even if the QR code is scanned, it does not give access to the dark web; the user must download separate software which gives the user access to the dark web.Unknown persons pasted QR codes with ‘Marketplace Chimera’ written on them, along with drug references, said police, who added that this caused damage to public property. Hence, they registered an offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

Meanwhile, state Congress vice-president Sunil Kawthankar congratulated BJP govt under CM Pramod Sawant for turning Goa into Mirzapur, completely ‘Swayampurna in drugs & crime’.“With not just the common man but even the police being unsafe, gunfights are occurring on alternate days, and a menu of drugs and narcotics available is displayed outside the police station of the state capital Panaji. That’s enough now, please resign,” he said.TOI reported in 2022 that the sale of drugs through the dark web and delivery through the postal service are new challenges for seven states, including Goa. An inter-state intelligence coordination meeting on narcotic drugs and other organised crimes discussed the challenges and shared information on drug dealers, peddlers, and those involved in the drug trade.Former Goa DGP Jaspal Singh said, “It is very difficult to prevent dealings on the dark net because of the complex digital processes involved. One is not aware of where the dealing is being done, and one has to do a lot of backward work”.