PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded vision of the arrests will be available later today.
Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged three men for their alleged involvement selling prohibited drugs on the Darknet under Strike Force Cyans.
Strike Force Cyans was established in October 2023 by State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad to investigate the supply of drugs such as methylamphetamine and cocaine on a Darknet marketplace.
A Darknet marketplace is a commercial website that exists on the Darknet and operates as a black market for selling or brokering transactions involving illicit commodities such as drugs, firearms, and fraudulent documents.
Following extensive inquiries, about 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 4 April 2024), strike force detectives arrested three men in a vehicle on Francesco Drive in Bella Vista.
The men – two aged 25 and one aged 27 – were taken to Riverstone Police Station.
From 4.30pm, strike force detectives – with assistance from North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group – executed three search warrants at homes in Toongabbie, Bella Vista and Glenwood.
During the searches, police seized prohibited drugs, drug paraphernalia, a car, cryptocurrency wallets, and electronics.
The 27-year-old man was charged with 17 drug-supply related offences, including supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and participate in a criminal group.
A 25-year-old Bella Vista man was charged with 12 drug-supply related offences, including supply prohibited Drug (>= large Commercial quantity) and knowingly direct a criminal group.
The other 25-year-old was charged with three offences, including two counts of take part in supply prohibited drug > indictable &
All three men were refused bail to appear in Blacktown Local Court today (Friday 5 April 2024).
Police will allege since October 2023 the men were actively involved in the operation of a Darknet vendor account responsible for the supply of various amounts of crystal methylamphetamine and cocaine in exchange for cryptocurrency.
Commander of State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft, said the Darknet is a unique challenge for law enforcement, but one NSWPF are equipped to deal with.
"The NSWPF is up to the challenge posed by modern-day criminals who wish to deal prohibited drugs or other illegal commodities on the internet, and we will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to," Det Supt Craft said.
"Despite this activity occurring on the Darknet, police still have visibility and an advanced capacity to respond. Anonymity on the Darknet is no longer guaranteed."
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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