In the wake of rising concerns over the addiction to online gaming among children leading to irritability and depression, a new threat has emerged. Exploiting the gaming platforms, traffickers are now engaging in the illicit trade of narcotics, reaching not only the youth with addictive substances but also conducting large-scale financial transactions through the dark web.
The Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has heightened vigilance following numerous complaints. Users in online games can connect with anyone, allowing traffickers to discreetly communicate with adolescents and strangers through messages and calls. The difficulty in monitoring messages exchanged during gameplay has become a challenge.
Exploiting coded language, drug dealers involved in this underground trade have devised a system using code words for various substances like drugs, enabling only those familiar with the terms to understand. This method facilitates the supply of intoxicating substances.
Financial transactions involving significant amounts of money are also being conducted through the dark web, an invisible part of the internet that evades conventional surveillance. Authorities are reporting a substantial number of narcotics traffickers participating in such transactions. In an effort to address this, the EOU is planning to establish a Darknet laboratory for enhanced monitoring of these transactions in the near future.
To combat the rise of substance abuse among youth, the EOU, in collaboration with district police, has initiated campaigns in schools and colleges. Additionally, law enforcement is actively identifying hotspots and individuals involved in illicit activities. Companies manufacturing drugs are also under scrutiny, with drug controllers acquiring data to track their sources.
Bihar Police’s multi-pronged approach aims to protect the youth from the dual threats of online gaming addiction and the sinister activities of traffickers exploiting these platforms.
