Over the last two years, we’ve seen governments work harder in cracking down on darknet markets. We’ve seen multiple countries and agencies work together just to take down individuals that play prominent roles in the darknet, and we’ve seen a clear monetary benefit as the IRS made more than 3.5 Billion from Bitcoin Seizures last year. It seems that the law enforcement crackdown on darknet markets and vendors is not slowing down, as the US government puts together a new task force… the Darknet Marketplace and Digital Currency Crimes Task Force (DNMDCC)
Who are the DNMDCC Task Force?
On Friday, June 16, 2023 the IRS and DOJ announced a new task force that focuses on darknet markets. It’s a task force that been in operation for atleast 6 years without any formal name. However, U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino of Arizona has made it official, and signed in the “Darknet Marketplace and Digital Currency Crimes Task Force (DNMDCC Task Force).”
“We’ve done great work with our federal partners in the dark web and crypto space. This task force will enable us to continue the great collaboration with USPIS, DEA, IRS-CI and HSI, and I look forward to robust interdiction and prosecution efforts to deter digital crimes.”
United States Attorney Gary Restaino.
The DNMDCC Task Force, consists of several federal agencies working together in synchronisation. They plan to combat illegal activities on the dark web and address crimes involving digital currencies. The task force includes:
- IRS Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI): The IRS-CI specializes in investigating financial crimes, including those related to cryptocurrencies and money laundering. *They have their own “Cyber Crimes Unit (CCU)” aswell.
- U.S. Attorney General’s Office: The U.S. Attorney General’s office provides legal guidance and support in prosecuting criminal cases related to darknet marketplaces and digital currency crimes.
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): HSI is a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and focuses on investigating a wide range of cross-border criminal activities, including cybercrimes and drug trafficking on the dark web.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): The DEA is responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations related to controlled substances, including drug trafficking offences that may occur on the dark net.
- United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS): The USPIS is responsible for enforcing laws related to crimes committed through the U.S. mail system, and they play a crucial role in investigating illicit activities involving the dark web.
These agencies work together as part of the DNMDCC Task Force to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that exploit the darknet’s anonymity and leverage digital currencies for illegal purposes. The DOJ believes that if all agencies can pool their expertise and resources together, this task force will play a critical role in the combatting of drug trafficking, money laundering, identity theft, and other crimes facilitated by the dark web and digital currencies.
The Pre-Existing Success of the DNMDCC
Although the DNMDCC was only signed into effect a couple of days ago, they’ve realistically worked together since about 2017. Over the years, the agencies have apprehended multiple darknet drug traffickers and illegal cryptocurrency exchanges. The task force has consistently grown in its ability to match and attack cyber criminals and hackers. They are aware that ever-evolving technology has allowed drug traffickers and other criminal actors to expand into the digital world and use the dark net to engage in their illegal activity. Therefore it’s the government’s job to prevent their illegal activity and fight fire with fire.
So far, they’ve done a decent job by their own standards. Some significant arrests include:
Fentanyl Dealer Trio
Three individuals named Charles McCoy, Lauren Rempel, and John Barnhill worked together to sell fentanyl on the darknet markets. The trio accepted Bitcoin, as a form of payment from their customers. However, they were captured after the DNMDCC traced funds to a centralized exchange. After an investigation, the three have been arrested and prosecuted, though there isn’t much information on this investigation.
Each of them received prison sentences. Charles McCoy was sentenced to 180 months (or 15 years) in prison, John Barnhill received a sentence of 72 months (or 6 years), and Lauren Rempel was sentenced to 87 months (or 7 years and 3 months) in prison. The last defendant in the case received their sentence in 2023.
Why does it always seem to be 2 guys and a girl in a trio? Anyways.
PillPlugPaul
Michael “PillPlugPaul” Cummings sold illegal drugs on the Darknet Market DarkFox. One of the drugs he sold was Fentanyl. The DNMDCC seem to be focusing directly on Fentanyl vendors as per the DOJ’s announcements.
During the DNMDCC investigation, they purchased blue M-30 pills that contained fentanyl in them. This lead to his arrest. Cummings pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing the drugs with the intention to distribute them. As part of his plea agreement, Cummings agreed to give up all the computers and cell phones he used for his illegal activities, including an undisclosed amount of cryptocurrencies.
Cummings is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2023. We will cover his case as more information is released.
Seahawks Rings And Drug Rings
On March 20th, a four-man Darknet Vendor was arrested for selling drugs on the Darknet. Silvester Ruelas, Kevin Dean McCoy, Amber Nicole Worrell, and Peggy V. Gomez worked together to fabricate and sell heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
The investigation came down to a warrent to search Silvester Ruelas residence, where LE found nine firearms, bars of precious metals like silver, gold, and platinum, and various items of jewellery. He held three expensive watches and even a stolen Super Bowl ring from the Seattle Seahawks.
As a result of the investigation and trial, the court sentenced Silvester Ruelas to 240 months (or 20 years) in prison, Kevin Dean McCoy to 180 months (or 15 years), Amber Nicole Worrell to 120 months (or 10 years), and Peggy V. Gomez to 60 months (or 5 years) in prison.
This was one of the earlier DNMDCC cases leading to their creation today.
Conclusion
At the current time, the DNMDCC Task Force is only in operation in Arizona, and further growth will take place in the coming future. These three cases are only but a handful of their successes in recent years. But the Darknet is filled and thriving in 2023. So will this additional crack down make a noteworthy impact?
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.