A citizen of Croatia and Serbia, accused of running a defunct dark web narcotics marketplace named Monopoly, has been extradited from Austria to face charges in the U.S., the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced on June 23.
Milomir Desnica, 33, is accused of facilitating $18 million in illegal narcotics transactions and using anonymous cryptocurrency exchanges to hide his tracks. He allegedly launched Monopoly in 2019, allowing people to buy and sell various narcotics, including opioids, stimulants, psychedelics, prescription medication, and other drugs, the DoJ said in a statement.
Desnica has been charged with “conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.” The court will announce a date when he will be arraigned in court.
Law enforcement agencies around the world have set their sights on dark web marketplaces. In the past three years, some of the world’s largest dark web markets, including Hydra, DarkMarket, and Genesis, have been taken down.
Monopoly: A Dark Web Drug Marketplace
According to the DoJ, vendors had to fill out a form to sell their products on Monopoly. Desnica reviewed and approved these forms, which included a picture of vendors’ inventories and an agreement that they would pay a commission from each sale.
In 2021, law enforcement agents posing as vendors on Monopoly received orders for narcotics. Agents also ordered about 100 grams of methamphetamine on the site.
Monopoly was taken down from the web in 2021 in a joint operation between U.S., German, and Finnish law enforcement. Analysis of the server used to host Monopoly gave law enforcement access to financial records, sales records, and communications between Desnica and vendors, including invoices for commissions. Investigators used this information to identify Desnica.
To hide his tracks, the DoJ said Desnica moved his proceeds from Monopoly between blockchains to “clean” it.
“Desnica then sold the illicit cryptocurrency to Serbia-based peer-to-peer traders in exchange for fiat currency — all in an effort to launder the proceeds of the illicit narcotics sales,” the DoJ said.
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
As a result of law enforcement’s increased focus on dark web markets, cybercriminals are shifting their operations to customized apps and instant messages like Telegram, cybersecurity firm Resecurity said in a report released in January 2023.
While the dark web is often associated with crime, it’s much more than an underground hub for criminals. Many people, including journalists and whistleblowers, use the dark web to communicate safely.
If you’re curious about this hidden part of the internet, you’ll need the Tor browser to access it. While Tor anonymizes your connection, we also recommend using a VPN to add an extra layer of protection.
Here’s a list of some dark web sites worth visiting!
