Texas drug trafficking gang jailed for money laundering using cryptos
The post Texas drug trafficking gang jailed for money laundering using cryptos appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
A Texas drug trafficking cartel comprising six individuals has been slapped with sentences ranging from probation to 84 months for money laundering involving cryptocurrencies. The ruling was reached following investigations involving several law enforcement agencies including the FBI, DEA, police chiefs from Houston and Mason as well as the United States Postal Inspection Services as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Taskforce (OCDETF). This collaboration has been viewed as evidence of US authorities’ efforts in tackling high-level drug traffickers and money launderers, with emphasis on dismantling these illegal networks that exploit online platforms for illegal activities. The Texas drug gang laundered $50,000 monthly Between July 2019 and December 2020, the darknet drug trafficking gang which operated under the code name “Loverbois” sold almost 12 kilograms of methamphetamine on a monthly basis and laundered about $50,000 through cryptocurrency. The drugs were distributed disguised as Adderall pills. During the same period, the gang processed about 20 drug orders daily. The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio revealed the sentencing of the six individuals, making up the “Loverbois” team. “The defendants sold at least 11.98 kilograms total of methamphetamine in pills and laundered between $15,000 and $50,000 per month using cryptocurrency.” Court documents. The illegal operation was exposed after undercover law enforcement agents in Ohio ordered and received shipment of the fake pills, which subsequently led to a federal grand jury indictment in June 2021. According to Hoodline, one of the gang members Kevin Tran received his sentence on September 30. Each gang member executed specific tasks According to the court documents, an individual identified as Duc Cao Phung created and ran the Loverbois’ accounts during the crime, taking orders online and generally overseeing the crypto transactions. Phung reportedly obtained the pills from William David Goode Harris and Ainoa…
Filed under: News - @ October 10, 2024 6:27 pm