Feds Indict Two AlphaBay Vendors on Distribution and Conspiracy Charges

2 vendors selling heroin & cocaine out of New York (Area51 and DarkApollo) using terrible opsec have been taken down hard by an interesting entity referred to as the Central California Darknet Strike Force.

http://deepdot35wvmeyd5.onion/2016/08/12/feds-indict-two-alphabay-vendors-distribution-conspiracy-charges/

https://www.deepdotweb.com/2016/08/12/feds-indict-two-alphabay-vendors-distribution-conspiracy-charges/

Central California Darknet Strike Force, a task force consisting of multiple agencies, is primarily responsible for this investigation; they exist to combat narcotic trafficking and money laundering on the darknet marketplaces. The lead agency involved in the case was the DEA, but U.S. Immigration and Customs, Homeland Security, the IRS, and the United States Postal Inspection Service all played a role in the take-down. The case is being prosecuted by assistant United States Attorneys Grant B. Rabenn and Jeffrey Spivak.

Under federal drug trafficking laws, if convicted, Almashwali and Farooq could each be facing 20 years in a federal prison and a $1 million dollar fine. They are currently awaiting transfer to the Eastern District of California where they will be held while awaiting sentencing.

If you were purchasing from either of these guys, stop immediately. At the time of this article, their AlphaBay profiles are still active, as well as a couple on other markets. Do NOT buy from Area51 or DarkApollo under any circumstances.

PDF LINK TO INDICTMENT:

https://uploadfiles.io/755d6

http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=09174389604905975048

http://www69.zippyshare.com/v/VPE2FHL7/file.html


Comments


[15 Points] Elisa-Yamaha:

During the investigation, law enforcement officials were able to discover that the encrypted email address associated with the Area51 AlphaBay profile was linked to social media accounts. When they recovered the email’s password they discovered the same password was used for other online accounts. The documents specifically mention Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook – all three of which link back to Farooq.

Are they for real...?


[6 Points] None:

Darknet Strike Force...sounds like the Sith are still at it. They will channel their hate until they have every last one of us...


[3 Points] None:

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[1 Points] Molly-saurus:

Its OK, 20 years in the Federal system is a slap on the wrist..they will be fine.


[1 Points] odaydream:

relatively new, but what is LE?


[1 Points] None:

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[-1 Points] None:

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