The work of the investigators, which took two years, finally paid off. A major narcotics trafficking network sold on the dark web, this clandestine web known for its illegal activities, has just been dismantled, announced Tuesday evening Philippe Astruc, the public prosecutor of Rennes, from where the Specialized Interregional jurisdiction (JIRS) in charge of the case.
Investigators have managed to identify two men. One, nicknamed “Drugsource”, aged 29, residing in Nantes, is suspected of being the organizer of the traffic. The second, aged 24, performed a logistics role at Le Mans (Sarthe). “The investigation reveals that “Drugsource” would have made more than 3,000 sales of narcotics on the Darkweb between September 2020 and October 2021, and notably offered ecstasy, MDMA, heroin and cocaine” , says Philippe Astruc. The profits generated by these illicit activities could exceed 1.5 million euros.
A large amount of cryptocurrencies
During the searches, more than 450,000 euros in goods and values were seized. “It is mainly 432,000 euros in cryptocurrencies, 9,000 euros in cash and 23,000 euros in bank investments”, specifies the public prosecutor of Rennes.
The organizer of the network denied part of the facts, the second admitted his guilt. Prosecuted before the criminal court for charges of trafficking in narcotics, possession of prohibited goods without proper supporting documents, customs laundering and laundering of the proceeds of trafficking in narcotics. They face a 10-year prison sentence.