Federal authorities arrest three dozen darknet vendors, seize millions in cash and drugs

Federal authorities arrested last week more than three dozen darknet vendors across the country, seizing drugs, weapons, and more than $23.6 million in cash and cryptocurrency.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Secret Service Office of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and more than 40 U.S. Attorney offices took part in the effort to disrupt illegal darknet marketplaces.

The investigation resulted in more than 100 law enforcement actions and the seizure of 333 bottles of liquid synthetic opioids, more than 100,000 tramadol pills, 100 grams of fentanyl, 24 grams of Xanax, and additional drugs like oxycodone, MDMA, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms.

“The Darknet is ever-changing and increasingly more intricate, making locating and targeting those selling illicit items on this platform more complicated,” Acting HSI Executive Associate Director Derek Benner said. “But in this case, HSI special agents were able to walk amongst those in the cyber underworld to find those vendors who sell highly addictive drugs for a profit. The veil has been lifted. HSI has infiltrated the darknet, and together with its law enforcement partners nationwide, it has proven, once again, that every criminal is within arm’s reach of the law.”

The operation also resulted in the seizure of more than 100 firearms, including assault rifles and a grenade launcher. Additionally, federal agents seized five vehicles, $3.6 million in cash and gold bars, and cryptocurrencies valued at approximately $20 million.

“Criminals who think that they are safe on the darknet are wrong,” Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said. “We can expose their networks, and we are determined to bring them to justice. Today, we arrested more than 35 alleged Darknet vendors. We seized their weapons, their drugs, and $23.6 million of their ill-gotten gains. This nationwide enforcement effort will reduce the supply of deadly drugs like fentanyl that are killing an unprecedented number of Americans.”

Peter Rendina, inspector in charge of the USPIS New York Division, said postal inspectors and law enforcement partners would “spare no resource or expense” in distributing darknet marketplaces where “illicit and dangerous items” are sold.

“Today’s announcement of our law enforcement partnership and operation sends a strong message to those who choose this illegal path, we are watching and will bring you to justice for your crimes against the American public,” Rendina said.

James Hunt, the special agent in charge of the DEA New York Division, said cyber drug trafficking is one of the greatest threats facing the nation amid the unprecedented number of drug-related deaths.

“Because the darknet invites criminals into our homes, and provides unlimited access to illegal commerce, law enforcement is taking steps to identify and arrest those involved,” Hunt said. “I applaud all the agencies who participated in this groundbreaking investigation.”