Drug dealers selling cocaine and methamphetamine online have investigators on their tail after three men were arrested for supplying over the darknet on April 4.
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The men were charged with selling crystal methylamphetamine and cocaine in exchange for cryptocurrency on an online black market used for brokering transactions of drugs, weapons and fraudulent documents.
Cybercrime commander detective superintendent Matthew Craft said the NSW Police Force "will aggressively pursue" anyone who attempts to deal drugs or other illegal commodities on the internet.
"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," he said.
At 3.30pm on April 4 police raided three western Sydney homes with search warrants and arrested three people, a 27-year-old man and two men aged 25-years-old.
During the searches of home in Toongabbie, Bella Vista and Glenwood police seized prohibited drugs, drug paraphernalia, a car, cryptocurrency wallets and electronics.
Alleged criminal group charged
The 25-year-old man from Bella Vista was charged with knowingly directing a criminal group and supplying a prohibited drug among 12 drug-supply related offences.
The second 25-year-old was charged with participating in a criminal group and two counts of taking part in supplying a prohibited drug.
The 27-year-old man was charged with participating in a criminal group and supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis among 17 drug-supply related offences.
All three men were refused bail to appear in Blacktown Local Court on April 5.
Help is available:
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Anna Houlahan
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
