As LE continues to crack down on the Darknet drug trade, West Midlands Police in the UK have arrested two suspects in Birmingham. This operation targets the notorious vendor ‘innocentextracts’, marking a pivotal step in the battle against digital drug trafficking and underscoring the escalating efforts against online narcotics sales.
Key Takeaways
- Two individuals, a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were arrested in Birmingham for allegedly supplying Class B drugs via the dark web.
- ‘Innocentextracts’ Operation: The suspects are believed to be part of a larger crackdown against a notorious darknet vendor named ‘Innocentextracts’, known for selling illegal THC-infused products.
- Cybercrime Unit’s Role: The West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit played a pivotal role in the investigation, demonstrating their expertise in tackling digital drug trafficking.
- The arrest ties into broader international efforts, including a significant 2021 Europol operation, to combat dark web marketplaces.
- West Midlands Police Announce Arrest On Dread Forum
West Midlands police have arrested a male and female suspect in Birmingham as part of an investigation into the dark web drug trade. The pair, both in their twenties, have remained unnamed by the police.
The 27 and 26-year-old suspects are alleged to have supplied Class B drugs to officers from the force’s Regional Cyber Crime Unit. The suspect’s arrests are believed to form part of an ongoing action against a “prolific” darknet vendor called ‘innocentextracts’. This particular vendor operated on both Incognito Market, as well as Archetyp Market.
Officers are taking action against dark web vendor ‘innocentextracts’ for allegedly selling illegal vapes with THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), sweets infused with this oil, and other related products.
The vendor advertised 1ml of disposable cannabinoids on the dark web for 29.37 USD. Other products such as Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (98%) were advertised by the vendor for 180.13 USD.
Cannabis is classified in the United Kingdom as a Class B narcotic, along with other drugs such as Speed, Ketamine, Mephedrone, and some amphetamines. The maximum sentence for possessing Class B drugs in the United Kingdom is up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine (or both).
Following the arrest of two suspects, officers seized ‘numerous packages’ that were sent for forensic examination. The suspects were released on police bail, while investigations into the matter continue.
United Kingdom’s Stance Against the Sale of Narcotics on the Dark Web
In December 2021, Europol and nine countries, including the United Kingdom, coordinated an operation to shut down an illegal dark web marketplace, “Monopoly Market.” The operation arrested 288 suspects involved in buying or selling drugs on the dark web, 55 of them coming from the UK.
In recent weeks, West Midlands police’s investigation into ‘innocentextracts’ comes off the successful prosecution and sentencing of Dr. Shoaib Ahmad, otherwise known as ‘Imperial Storm Trooper.’
Dr Ahmad sold ecstasy, cannabis, and counterfeit Xanax on the dark web between July 2016 and August 2017. He made approximately $250,000 worth of Bitcoin from the proceeds of his sales, until he was eventually arrested in France, in 2017.
Dr. Ahmad pleaded guilty on 28 June this year to a total of 17 offences relating to possession. On December 11, Birmingham Crown Court sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment.
Detective Constable Holly Percival, from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit’s cyber-crime team, warned criminals against attempting to escape law enforcement through the dark web.
Detective Percival highlighted the fact that Dr Ahmad thought he acted anonymously under the cloak of the darknet. However, law enforcement “has the technical expertise and resources to take on these criminals and we are determined to disrupt the drug trades wherever it takes place.”
Narcs Using Dread
In a more peculiar matter, this case is the way the West Midlands cybercrime team handled this. Soon after announcing the pair’s arrest, the West Midlands Cyber Crime team created their own Dread account with the username “WMCyberCrime“
In a post Titled “Arrest of DNM Vendor InnocentExtractss Extracts Operating on Incognito,” the police officers wrote
West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit has executed multiple warrants and arrested the operators of InnocentExtractss operating on Incognito. A number of customers were identified who had recently ordered from the vendor; we will be in touch with you soon.
“WMCyberCrime“
The News article detailing the arrests can be viewed on the West Midlands Police Website
They went on to provide a Link to the article in question.
Needless to say, the West Midlands Cyber Crime team’s decision to create an account on Dread and directly engage with its community is indeed an unusual and new approach. Typically, law enforcement agencies operate covertly on dark web platforms, gathering intelligence without revealing their presence. It further serves as a psychological strategy, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty within the dark web community, and is a clear indication of their capability to infiltrate and actively monitor these hidden platforms.
They were trying to send a threat at the same time. A fear tactic, but if it does turn out to be true, then they’ve also given people time to make sure everything at their drop/house is clean, and that would make proving they ordered something even more difficult. So that’s nice of them.
Hey there, I’m a dark web geek who’s been around for the last 8 years. More precisely, I’m livedarknet’s senior content writer who’s been writing about darknet marketplaces, tutorials, and cybersecurity stuff for educational purposes.