NSW Police have arrested three men on April 4 for their involvement in selling illegal substances anonymously over the darknet. In October 2023, the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad set up a team called Strike Force Cyans to look into drug sales, like meth and cocaine, happening on a dark web site.
Key Insights
- Three men, aged 27 and two aged 25, were arrested by NSW Police on April 4 for their involvement in selling drugs over the darknet.
- The arrests were part of an operation by Strike Force Cyans, established in October 2023 by the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad.
- The men were dealing in crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in exchange for cryptocurrency.
- Law enforcement conducted coordinated raids at 3:30 PM on April 4, targeting homes in Toongabbie, Bella Vista, and Glenwood in western Sydney.
- Items seized included illegal substances, drug paraphernalia, a vehicle, cryptocurrency wallets, and various electronic devices.
- The 25-year-old from Bella Vista is charged with leading a criminal group, supplying and selling prohibited drugs, among twelve related offenses.
- Another 25-year-old faces charges of participating in a criminal group and involvement in the drug trade and supply.
- The 27-year-old faces seventeen charges, including the supply of prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and participation in criminal activities.
- All three men were taken to Riverstone Police Station and are being held without bail.
- They are scheduled for a court appearance at Blacktown Local Court on April 5.
- Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft emphasized NSW Police’s advanced capabilities in fighting dark web market illegal trade, stating that anonymity for criminals is no longer assured.
Seized Drugs and Cryptocurrency in Coordinated Raids
The individuals, aged 27 and two aged 25, were apprehended for dealing with crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in exchange for cryptocurrency through an online undisclosed darknet marketplace. This platform is known for hosting illegal transactions for items such as drugs, weapons, and fraudulent documents.
The operation happened with the plan to do coordinated raids at 3:30 PM on April 4. A strategic move by law enforcement meant pulling over a vehicle on Francesco Drive in Bella Vista. This led to the arrests of the three men involved in the dark web drug trade. This also led to a search warrant, which eventually led to the seizure of illegal substances, drug paraphernalia, a vehicle, cryptocurrency wallets, and various electronic devices from locations in Toongabbie, Bella Vista, and Glenwood.
The NSWPF is up to the challenge posed by modern-day criminals who wish to deal with prohibited drugs or other illegal commodities on the internet, and we will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to. Despite this activity occurring on the darknet, police still have visibility and an advanced capacity to respond. Anonymity on the darknet is no longer guaranteed.
Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft of the NSW Police Force articulated the challenges and the resolve in confronting dark web crimes
The Legal Charges Pile Up
Charges have been laid against the individuals, marking a step in the right direction in the legal process. The 25-year-old from Bella Vista faces serious legal accusations, which include leading a criminal group and supplying and selling prohibited drugs, among twelve related offences.
His “partners in crime”, another 25-year-old, is being charged with participating in a criminal group and having the involvement in drug trade and supply. The 27-year-old faces seventeen charges, including the supply of prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and participation in criminal activities.
The men, two aged 25 and one aged 27, were taken to Riverstone Police Station. Where the tip on the trio came through is still not certain, but it’s usually a lack of OpSec
Advanced Plans Against Darknet Crimes
Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft who is the Cybercrime Commander, put emphasis on the NSW Police Force’s commitment to fighting against the dark web market internet-based illegal trade.
“Despite the cover of the darknet, our capabilities to track and respond to such activities are more advanced than ever. Anonymity for criminals in these spaces is no longer assured,” he stated.
All three criminals are currently being held without the possibility of bail and are scheduled for a court appearance at Blacktown Local Court on April 5. This case shows the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to find and bring an end to illegal operations on the darknet, challenging the notion of complete anonymity for those engaged in cyber-enabled crime.