On February 20th, 2016, speaking (from Russia via Skype) to a live audience at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, Edward Snowden was asked about potential NSA involvement in the SilkRoad (SR1) investigation.
@ 35:54, he is asked if it should be assumed that the NSA was involved in the SR1 investigation. Edward Snowden, without hesitation says, "yes."
He elaborates, saying the NSA is part of the Five Eyes. The UK government is as well. GCHQ (the UK's NSA counterpart) is allowed to use NSA systems against "serious crimes" which includes "drug trafficking" by their definitions. In fact, they have a mandate to do so. He basically, by example, suggests that GCHQ could have been involved in the SR1 investigation and shared that intel with the NSA (who could pass it on to domestic US law enforcement agencies).
"It seems unthinkable to me that there was not an intelligence angle, internationally, that was involved in that case."
~~ Edward Snowden
I've had it. These fucks can't take my drugs from me. I WILL KEEP BEING HIGH 24/7. FUCK YOU USA!