Florida Man’s Bitcoin Bonanza: Guilty of Drug Dealing and Money Laundering

The Dark Web Playground

In a saga that sounds like out of a crime thriller, Richard Castro, aka “Chems_usa”, has pledged guilty to a multi-million dollar drug dealing conspiracy and money laundering scheme that ran rampant on the dark web. From fall 2015 to spring 2019, this Florida-based modern-day pharmacist sold synthetic opioids like candy, utilizing Bitcoin as his primary currency.

Bitcoin or Bust

Castro was no stranger to the digital currency scene; he preferred Bitcoin over cash, noting how it allowed him to operate under various aliases—imaginatively dubbed “Chemical_usa” and “Jagger109.” With profits topping $4 million, he certainly knew how to cash in on the opioid crisis!

The Potent Potions

Among the substances Castro distributed were carfentanil, fentanyl, and phenyl fentanyl—together creating a menu for a dangerously effective drug cocktail. To put it into perspective, carfentanil is about 100 times more powerful than fentanyl, which itself is significantly stronger than heroin. Castro’s dark web listings were more like rave reviews for a bad restaurant: “Extremely potent” and “The Carfent is unbelievably well synthesized,” to quote a few satisfied clients.

Transaction Trouble

Our entrepreneur was busy, having facilitated over 3,200 transactions across various marketplaces, with over 1,800 of those on AlphaBay. But every show has its end, and Castro’s dark web escapades came to a screeching halt in summer 2018 when he shifted from the dark web to encrypted emails. Unbeknownst to him, an undercover law enforcement officer was lurking around, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

A Fall from Grace

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman commented on the downfall of “Chems_usa,” emphasizing that Castro naively believed he could evade capture in the shadows of the internet. In a serious twist, he now faces a hefty prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life, along with a 20-year max for money laundering. Talk about a harsh reality check!

Upcoming Sentencing and the Ripple Effect

Scheduled for sentencing in October 2019, Castro isn’t the only dark web dealer looking over his shoulder. Earlier this month, another alleged dealer, Hugh Brian, was slammed with charges related to a $19 million crypto-enabled money laundering operation tied to the notorious Silk Road. Looks like Castro’s not rolling solo in this busted business.