By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Indian authorities seized a boat carrying $4.2 billion worth of methamphetamine near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, discovering a Starlink device onboard. A legal demand has been issued to SpaceX requesting the purchaser’s identifying information, including payment details and device usage records. This request stems from an Indian law allowing authorities to seek information during investigations. The timing is notable given Starlink’s recent pursuit of Indian operating licenses.
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Police demands Starlink to reveal the buyer of a device found during a massive $4.2 billion drug bust, a seizure that involved 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. The sheer scale of the bust naturally raises questions about the accuracy of the valuation, with some suggesting the price per gram seems extraordinarily high, even considering street prices versus wholesale costs. Many commenters expressed skepticism over the reported $4.2 billion figure, pointing out that police often inflate the value of drug seizures to enhance the perceived impact of their work.
The involvement of Starlink adds a fascinating layer to the story. Authorities are seeking information from the satellite internet provider about the purchaser of a device used in the operation, highlighting the role of technology in facilitating even large-scale drug trafficking. The request underscores the increasing reliance on technology in criminal enterprises and the growing importance of collaboration between law enforcement and technology companies in combating such crimes.
The inflated value of the seized drugs is a recurring theme in discussions surrounding this case. Some have suggested that the figure could be due to various factors, including the addition of the weight of diluting agents to the total weight, as well as using inflated street prices rather than wholesale costs. There’s also speculation about possible currency conversion errors, with the suggestion that the reported amount may be in Indian Rupees rather than US Dollars, significantly altering the final valuation. This would dramatically reduce the value per gram of methamphetamine, bringing it into a more plausible range.
The discussion about Starlink’s involvement raises another important point: the company’s data privacy policies and the potential role of satellite internet service providers in criminal investigations. While Starlink likely sells its services to legitimate customers, the potential for their equipment to be misused by criminal organizations presents a challenge for both the company and law enforcement agencies.
The type of methamphetamine itself is also a point of debate. Some commenters speculated that it might be a particularly high-grade substance, accounting for the supposedly inflated price, or a liquid concentrate that would significantly reduce shipping difficulties. Others pointed out that meth is comparatively inexpensive in some parts of Asia, particularly when contrasted with other stimulants like Captagon.
The skepticism regarding the reported value of the drug bust is pervasive, with numerous people highlighting the common practice of police inflating these figures to portray their efforts in a more positive light. This is seen as a way to claim credit for a larger, more successful operation than might actually be the case. The focus on the $4.2 billion figure obscures a more fundamental issue, the significant quantity of methamphetamine seized—13,227 pounds—which remains a substantial concern regardless of the specific monetary valuation.
This massive drug bust highlights the persistent challenge of international drug trafficking and the complex interplay between technological advancements and criminal activity. The police’s request to Starlink underscores the need for greater collaboration between law enforcement and private companies in combating global crime, while the controversy surrounding the drug’s estimated worth points to the importance of accurate reporting and transparent methodology in drug seizure announcements. The ongoing investigation, and Starlink’s response, will offer further insights into this multifaceted story.