US authorities confiscate more than US $ 20 million in cryptoactives in a covert operation within the Deep web
Authorities from several US security departments reported that their officials were working undercover in the dark network. The massive intelligence operation revealed the true identity of more than 50 vendors on websites such as Hansa, Dream, Alpha Bay, Silk Road, among others. The statements also revealed that until now 35 individuals have been arrested and assets valued at over 23 million dollars.
The law enforcement agencies involved in the operation included the Department of Justice, the National Security Investigations of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), the Secret Service, the Postal Inspection Service and the DEA.
The procedure was based on the infiltration of special HSI agents posing as money launderers on the black market. The arrest of the 35 vendors was handled by forty US law offices that work with the Asset Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice.
"The Secret Service is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to help combat one of the greatest threats to the financial infrastructure of the United States. UU., The money laundering with virtual currency, "said Jenkins, Assistant Secretary of the United States Secret Service. "The Secret Service continues to adapt along with these cybercriminals to maintain our level of success in stopping them."
In addition to the arrests of the sellers, the authorities had the opportunity to confiscate assets with values over 22.6 million dollars in a month with more than 100 compliance actions.
news.Bitcoin.com notes that this confiscated merchandise includes liquid synthetic opioids such as tramadol, fentanyl, Xanax, oxycodone, MDMA, cocaine, LSD, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
The authorities also seized more than 100 firearms, such as pistols, assault rifles and a grenade launcher; five vehicles; more than 3.6 million dollars in gold bars and decree; almost 2,000 Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, with an approximate value of more than 20 million dollars; Bitcoin mining devices, computer equipment and vacuum sealers.
Finally, Benner, Interim Executive Director of HSI, told the press :
"The dark network is always changing and increasingly advanced, which makes it more difficult to locate and attack those who sell illicit items on this platform. But in this case, HSI's special agents were able to walk among those in the cybernetic underworld to find those providers who sell highly addictive drugs for profit. The veil has been lifted. HSI has infiltrated the dark web, and together with its law enforcement partners across the country, has demonstrated, once again, that all criminals are within the reach of the law. "
Source: news.Bitcoin.com