Gang who sold ecstasy on dark web and sent packages from UK to Europe, Asia and US is smashed by National Crime Agency as drugs worth £4.3m are seized and two men are arrested
- The National Crime Agency ‘dismantled’ the drug dealing gang in series of raids
- Officers seized 90kg of MDMA, 134kg of amphetamine, 6000 Diazepam tablets
- Dealers were selling drugs on the dark web under headings like ‘Sundaefundae’
- Two men, aged 24 and 31, have been arrested in the North East of England
Police have smashed an international drugs gang which sold ecstasy, amphetamines and pills on the dark web to customers around the world.
The dealers would sell the drugs under innocent account ‘handles’ including ‘Sundaefundae’ and ‘Hundredsandthousands’.
Their operation was rumbled when packages were destined for Europe, Asia and the US were seized by Border Force officials last summer, sparking a probe by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Officers seized 90 kilos of MDMA, 134 kilos of amphetamine and more than 6000 Diazepam tablets, also known as alprazolam, over the course of their investigation.
Experts estimate the drugs haul would have been worth a combined value of £4.3 million if the criminals had successfully sold it on the streets.
Two men have been arrested after a series of dramatic raids and police are hunting another two criminals still on the loose. Officers have urged the duo to hand themselves in.
Police have ‘dismantled’ a drug dealing gang selling large quantities of ecstasy on the dark web in a series of raids (pictured). Experts estimate the drugs haul from their investigation would have been worth a combined value of £4.3 million
The NCA launched their probe into the drugs gang network in June and July last year after intercepting parcels of MDMA.
Some of them were addressed to locations in the UK, US, Israel, Norway, Thailand, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
Officers analysed encrypted messages to identify the behind the operation selling the drugs and laundering money using cryptocurrency.
Two men, aged 24 and 31, were arrested on Thursday in South Shields and Hebburn, South Tyneside, on suspicion of importing and supplying Class A, B and C drugs.
An address in Epsom, Surrey, was also searched, with further raids also carried out at other properties in South Shields.
Officers seized 90 kilos of MDMA, 134 kilos of amphetamine and more than 6000 Diazepam tablets, also known as alprazolam, over the course of their investigation. Pictured: Stock image
Officers also seized mobile phones, computers and drug packaging paraphernalia in the operation, which was supported by US law enforcement.
Officers discovered the drugs were being imported from Holland and then sold on the dark web under four handles – HundredsUK, Hundredsandthousands, Sundaefundae, and 100and1000s.
NCA operations manager Martin Clarke said: ‘This action against an organised crime group supplying drugs via the dark web has dismantled a well-established operation.
‘We have worked closely with partners in the US to target the individuals involved, who are ultimately preying on the vulnerable and destroying communities.
‘This investigation shows that those who try to use the dark web and encrypted communication devices to anonymously commit crimes can be identified.
‘There are two people from South Shields we are still seeking, who we believe are overseas.
‘They know they are wanted and I would encourage them to hand themselves in.’