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Darknet Drug Operations Hit as Feds Move to Seize $54 Million in Crypto Crime Bust
3.11.2023
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday the seizure of 30,000 Ether (ETH), valued at over $54 million, that had allegedly been used for illegal narcotics distribution in New Jersey. The assets were traced back to Christopher Castelluzzo, who was involved in narcotics operations...
U.S. Treasury Targets Crypto Wallets Linked to Illegal Fentanyl Trade – Here's What You Need to Know
6.10.2023
The United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned several cryptocurrency wallets associated with the illegal fentanyl trade.
On Tuesday, the OFAC added a new set of crypto wallets to its specially designated nationals (SDN) list, targeting a drug trafficking...
South Australian Police Seizes $1.5M in Crypto From Man Charged With Drug Trafficking
5.10.2023
South Australian police have apprehended a 25-year-old man from Adelaide Hills on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, with approximately $1.5 million worth of crypto seized during the operation.
The accused individual operated multiple vendor profiles on the dark web, selling various...
US Treasury sanctions crypto wallets as authorities crack down on fentanyl
3.10.2023
According to Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, the sanctioned wallets "received millions of USD funds over hundreds of deposits" used for illicit drugs
US Treasury sanctions Ethereum wallet tied to cartel over 'illicit fentanyl trafficking'
26.9.2023
An ETH wallet tied to Mexican national Mario Alberto Jimenez Castro was allegedly used for illicit fentanyl sales in the United States
10 crypto insiders share their advice for traders considering trading bots
26.9.2023
Being fully aware of both the strengths and weaknesses of bots can help traders leverage them with optimal success
Alleged Admin of Darknet Marketplace Monopoly Market Extradited to US
29.6.2023
The suspected administrator of the Monopoly Market darknet marketplace has been extradited from Austria to face charges in the U.S. The man, a citizen of Serbia and Croatia who was arrested in Vienna last November, has been accused of facilitating $18 million in illegal drug transactions using...
Fentanyl Ingredients Sold for Crypto by Chinese Labs
23.6.2023
Chinese chemical producers are accepting cryptocurrency as payment for fentanyl ingredients they sell to drug organizations worldwide.
Researchers at crypto analytics platform Elliptic have found over 90 Chinese chemical companies that sold fentanyl precursor chemicals and advertised their...
Five US enforcement agencies form new digital currency anti-crime task force
20.6.2023
The agencies have worked together for years, but now their joint efforts are official as they plan to ramp up activity
Alleged Cocaine Operation That Used Pokémon Art Cases Got Busted
13.6.2023
Two New Bedford, Massachusetts men were arrested on June 6 for allegedly smuggling some four pounds of cocaine in a couple of adorable yellow Pokémon art cases that seem to feature the electric mouse Pikachu on the front.Read more
Why Elizabeth Warren Is Wrong About Crypto and the Fentanyl Epidemic
1.6.2023
Sen. Elizabeth Warren points to crypto payments as facilitating fentanyl trade in China
31.5.2023
“The number of crypto transactions associated with Chinese fentanyl brokers increased by 450% just last year alone," said the Massachusetts senator, citing an Elliptic report
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren Calls for Shutdown of Crypto Funding for Fentanyl
31.5.2023
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) cited the rampant use of cryptocurrency in the Chinese fentanyl trade during a Wednesday Senate hearing, arguing for legislation to help break that pipeline
Chinese Companies Selling Fentanyl Received More Than $27 Million In Crypto Payments: Report
24.5.2023
Chinese chemical producers selling fentanyl ingredients have received more than $27 million in crypto payments.
According to a new report by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, approximately 90% of Chinese pharmaceutical chemical companies supplying fentanyl precursors accept cryptocurrencies like...
Global Law Enforcement Agencies Dismantle Darknet Marketplace Monopoly Market, Arrest 288 and Seize $53.4 Million
3.5.2023
On May 2, 2023, Europol announced a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies from the U.S., Europe, the U.K., and Brazil culminated in 288 arrests, along with the confiscation of 850 kg of illegal drugs, 117 firearms, and $53.4 million in cash and cryptocurrencies. This joint venture...
S Korean President Calls for ‘War’ on Crypto-powered Drug Trafficking
19.4.2023
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol has declared an “all-out war” on crypto-powered drug trafficking after a large number of narcotics-trading teens were handed jail time.
Per Today Korea, Yoon said there was a “need” to “mobilize all government capabilities in the fight against drugs.”
At...
South Korean ‘Crypto Drug-trading Teens’ Jailed
18.4.2023
A “continuous” flow of South Korean teens is being given jail time as law enforcers continue a crackdown on crypto-powered drug trading.
Kyungnam Shinmun reported that courts in the southern city of Changwon are now “sentencing teens and people in their twenties to imprisonment, one after...
Economist Paul Krugman Criticizes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Opposition to Central Bank Digital Currency
15.4.2023
Economist Paul Krugman questioned why Republican Florida governor Ron DeSantis opposes a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in a recent opinion editorial. Krugman suggested that DeSantis may be motivated by “general paranoia.” He speculated that DeSantis may be influenced...
EU-Funded Report Calls for Crypto ID Checks, Police Training to Combat Darknet Markets
12.4.2023
Law enforcement can learn how to track illicit activity, but outright crypto bans aren’t effective, a report commissioned by the EU's monitoring body for drugs concluded
South Korean Police Arrest Girl Aged 14 for Buying Crystal Meth with Crypto
8.3.2023
A 14-year-old South Korean girl has been arrested on suspicion of using cryptoassets to buy methamphetamine (crystal meth).
Per Dong-a Ilbo, the girl is a third-grade middle school student who lives the in Dongdaemun District of Central Seoul. Police say she was found “collapsed” on a stairwell...