Detective Superintendent Adam Rice speaks during a press conference on Operation Reveal
Channel: SA Police News
Date: 05/10/2023

An Adelaide Hills man was arrested last month for dark web drug trafficking and money laundering involving cryptocurrency. 

In early 2023, Cybercrime Investigation Section commenced Operation Reveal, targeting the activity of an online dark web vendor trafficking in illicit drugs.

The investigation identified illicit activity on a dark web market place; attributed an online alias to a real-life person; identified and traced cryptocurrency used in the offending and led to a successful search and seizure operation.

Using the dark web environment to perform illegal activity is not beyond the reach and capability of law enforcement.

“You are not anonymous on the dark web. Police are investigating online platforms and will continue to bring people before the courts for criminal offending in these environments,” Officer in charge of Financial and Cybercrime Investigation Branch, Detective Superintendent Adam Rice said.

A 25-year-old Adelaide Hills man was allegedly operating several different vendor profiles on an online dark web market place. Each profile was selling a variety of illicit drugs, including a quantity of opioids commonly referred to as ‘nitazenes’.

The vendor allegedly sourced packaging equipment and illicit drugs in bulk quantities and offered them for sale on the dark web. Customers would place an order and make payment in cryptocurrency. The vendor would then attend a storage unit to prepare the orders for distribution.

The vendor amassed significant wealth over a period of time allegedly through this illicit activity and has laundered some of the money.
Between 20 to 22 September, police searched a residential address and two storage units in the Adelaide Hills. 

Police seized a large quantity of illicit drugs, cash, cryptocurrency, electronic devices and other evidence used in conjunction with the offending and a quantity of property believed to be proceeds of crime and evidence of money laundering.

On Wednesday, September 20, police arrested a 25-year-old man who has been remanded in custody and will appear in court at a later date.

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