The leaders of a “prolific” drug trafficking ring that uses the dark web to trade cocaine and counterfeit narcotics pills have been sentenced to prison. On Thursday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio said the men also laundered about $2.8 million between 2013 and 2020.
Khlari Sirotkin of Colorado and Sean Deaver of Nevada will be serving a prison term of 16 and 18 years, respectively.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, the two men were the leaders of five defendants charged in 2020 for using dark web marketplaces and encrypted apps to sell illegal drugs.
Drug Sale on the Dark Web
The drug trafficking ring operated different accounts on dark web marketplaces, including one named “Pill Cosby.” They also used encrypted mobile apps to sell drugs.
“The defendants specialized in the manufacturing and distributing of more than one million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and laundered approximately $2.8 million from 2013 to 2020,” a press release from the US Attorney’s Office said.
The counterfeit pills were shipped throughout the US, and the group also disguised fentanyl-laced pills as “authentic, pharmaceutical opioids.”
The dark web has long been a hub for drug traffickers. This hidden section of the internet can only be accessed using a specialized browser. Its anonymous nature makes it a top favorite among people who engage in various illicit activities.
Besides the dark web, criminals are increasingly turning to encrypted messaging apps to sell their products. A study published in 2022 found that cybercriminals are moving to anonymous messaging apps like Telegram to conduct their activities. Another study published this year said cybercriminals are also using customized mobile apps.
The migration to mobile apps may be the result of the global crackdown on dark web marketplaces. In recent years, law enforcement has shut down some of the largest dark web markets, including Hydra and Genesis. Last month, Finnish authorities took down a major local dark web market named PIILOPUOTI.
Staying Safe Online
Besides drugs, another common thing sold on the dark web is stolen personal data. There’s a huge market for stolen credentials, driver’s IDs, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information. Threat actors can use this data for criminal exploits like identity theft.
To keep your data from falling into the wrong hands, we strongly recommend using strong, unique passwords and activating two-factor authentication on your accounts. Be wary of suspicious emails and other messages, especially if they’re from unfamiliar sources.
The dark web can be dangerous, but it has several legitimate uses. Many journalists, whistle-blowers, and people in repressive countries turn to the dark web to communicate freely. If you want to explore the dark web, we recommend using a solid VPN to protect your identity and keep you anonymous.
Read our guide to visiting the dark web for step-by-step instructions on how to access this hidden part of the internet and some valuable safety tips.
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