Arrests of 178 South Korean Dark Web Users on Charges of Crypto-Powered Drug Trading

Police in the national capital, South Korea, have inactive 178 individuals on suspicion of shopping for and commercializing drugs online and mistreatment crypto assets as a way of payment.

consistent with JTBC, Seoul Metropolitan law enforcement officials aforesaid they'd arrested twelve suspected drug dealers and 166 of their alleged customers, stating that the individuals had all created use of dark web portals and crypto payments.

The officers conjointly declared that they had taken over tokens, some USD 8,500 value of cash, 12kg of marijuana, and vital amounts of medication like artificial cannabinoids, ketamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy).

A number of the drug payments seem to own been dispensed in bitcoin (BTC), and therefore the overwhelming majority of alleged drug consumers were delineated as being in their 20s and 30s – though a little variety of people were aged 40-59.

The officers explained that the individuals had all created use of a dark web platform that allowed would-be dealers to post for free, however, demanded a 10% commission on all transactions – that was paid in crypto and carried out through the platform.

whereas the traders are identified, the dark web platform operators have so far eluded capture.

law enforcement officials declared that the platform created the use of dark web technology, crypto assets, and electronic communication platforms like Telegram, creating it a natural alternative for younger people – and fewer of a draw for older individuals.

And officers warned:

• “Young people with high levels of net acquisition will simply purchase narcotics online. however whereas they'll} suppose they leave no trace of their actions if they buy narcotics mistreatment crypto assets, this isn’t the case. we've got launched an obsessive investigation team and offenders will eventually be caught.”

Like several alternative East Asian nations, the Republic of Korea has extraordinarily tight narcotics laws. The law enforcement agency has recently established a unit named the Darkweb and Cryptosset Special Investigation Team.

Officers also indicated that they believe that some dark web-related people could have links to a number of Seoul’s busiest night spots.

Per Newsis, a proponent pledged to “identify dark web operators” and “expand” the police’s “investigation” – similarly as investigate “whether or not these operators are concerning major clubs and amusement institutions in Seoul.”