Feds Ran a Bitcoin-Laundering Sting For Over a Year (theverge.com)

More than 40 alleged dark-web drug dealers have been arrested as part of a sweeping federal effort by the Department of Justice as "the first national undercover operation targeting dark net vendors." The Verge reports: The core of the operation was an online money-laundering business seized by agents from Homeland Security Investigations and operated as a sting for over a year. By offering cash for bitcoin, HSI agents were able to identify specific drug dealers, ultimately tracing more than $20 million in drug-linked cryptocurrency transactions. The hijacked money-laundering service was offered across a number of different marketplaces, with agents claiming at least some presence on AlphaBay, Dream Market, Wall Street, and others.

So far, prosecutions have been launched across 19 states as a result of the operation, seizing more than $3.6 million in cash. The same raids seized large quantities of Schedule IV pharmaceuticals -- including 100,000 tramadol pills and over 24 kilograms of Xanax -- as is typical of trade on dark net markets. Agents also recovered more than 300 models of liquid synthetic opioids and roughly 100 grams of fentanyl. Further investigations are still ongoing.

Comments

Active pharmaceutical component

[DrYak]

Tramadol is like Ibuprofen++. {...} and used by people that are in actual pain

The only thing in common between tramadol and ibuprofen is that they both releive pain and that's about it.

Ibuporofen is a type of non-steroid anti inflammation drug (NSAID). Basically it's "aspirin++" with its own set of set-backs and advantages (it's hard on the stomach. Can also affect the kidneys)

Tramadol is an opioid, it work on the same pain receptors as morphine and heroin, and has a different set of drawbacks that it share with these substance (risk of addiction. Causes often constipation and can cause urinary globe).

- Because it's addictive, it's much more difficult to obtain a prescription. Some people in actual pain might resort to illegal channel to obtain what they need (whil avoiding a high doctor fee, eg.)

- Because it's addictive, if it's not managed correctly, it can lead to addiction, and some people need to constantly get doses to avoid pain (either the people who got it from above, or people who didn't manage it correctly while prescribed by a doctor). They'll use illegal channel to keep fueling their addiction.

- It's an opioid. Somebody is bound to find some dubious way to use it recreatively. They'll also use illegal channels to obtain it.

The same kind of thinking can be also applied to the other drugs. Xanax contains alprazolam, a type of benzodiazepine - a class of drugs that is used as tranquilizers (against stress, to help sleep, etc.) which is also highly addictive.

Overall, these aren't illegal drugs. They are perfectly normal pharmaceutical component, only very strictly regulated ones.

To me, it looks like a sizeable chunk of the illegal drug market that US gov agencies are fighting isn't only druggies that want to get high (LSD, shrooms, etc.) but also people with medical condition that weren't managed properly and slowly devolved into an addiction.

If the other side of the Atlantic pond didn't have such a joke of a healthcare and social welfare system, maybe lots of these addict would have been able to afford going to the doctor, would have had better managed problem and wouldn't be resorting to illegal channel and fueling the drug market.

Yes, I know, we "evil-euro-communist"...