People who want to escape detection for peddling illegal drugs have turned to the darknet because of its supposed ability to hide the identity of sellers. As evidence that the anonymity factor is not as advertised, four people, including a nurse, were recently indicted for making illegal sales on the darknet.
What happened
A nurse from Northern California and three Arizona residents, including a tattoo artist, were indicted recently, charged with selling illegal drugs on the darknet. The indictments developed as the result of a federal investigation into darknet drug trafficking. Federal officials made 14 arrests and seized a large cache of narcotics along with $2 million in digital currency and $424,000 in cash. Federal agents who searched the home of the nurse found $1.8 million in Bitcoin, and $234,000 in cash.
About the darknet
Usually associated with the encrypted parts of the internet, the darknet is not open to the public. It is part of the Deep Web and known for illicit trading, of which opioid selling is an example. Those involved with making sales of illegal drugs like heroin, methamphetamines and fentanyl often set up businesses on the darknet, such as the illegal pharmacy the Northern California nurse operated under the guise of a company selling nutritional supplements. Federal agents discovered the business the Arizona residents were operating on the darknet when they purchased heroin from them. Gummy bear packaging concealed the narcotic the agents received.
A defensible crime
If you are under investigation for the possession, distribution or sale of illegal drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, designer or any other kind of drugs, or are already dealing with charges, now is the time to explore your legal options. Keep in mind that you have Fourth Amendment rights under the Constitution that protect you from unreasonable searches and seizures, just one of the elements of a successful defense that could see you win your case.
