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D.M.T
Shroomery Contaminant
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Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace
#16110118 - 04/19/12 04:16 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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April 16 (Los Angeles) - Federal, state, and international law enforcement authorities have arrested eight people who all face federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges stemming from their creation and operation of a “secret” on-line narcotics market place – known as the “The Farmer's Market” – which sold a variety of controlled substances to approximately 3,000 customers in 34 countries and 50 states.
“The drug trafficking organization targeted in Operation Adam Bomb was distributing dangerous and addictive drugs to every corner of the world, and trying to hide their activities through the use of advanced anonymizing on-line technology,” said Briane M. Grey, DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge. “Today's action should send a clear message to organizations that are using technology to conduct criminal activity that the DEA and our law enforcement partners will track them down and bring them to justice.”
This morning, law enforcement authorities in Lelystad, Netherlands arrested lead defendant, Marc Willems, at his home. Yesterday, law enforcement officials in Bogota, Colombia, arrested the second defendant, Michael Evron, a United States citizen who lives in Argentina, as he was attempting to leave Colombia. The remaining defendants, Jonathan Colbeck, Brian Colbeck, Ryan Rawls, Jonathan Dugan, George Matzek, and Charles Bigras were arrested at their respective homes in Iowa, Michigan, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
The 66-page indictment, unsealed today, was the result of “Operation Adam Bomb,” a two-year investigation led by agents of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, with significant assistance by the Netherlands Regional Police Force Flevoland, prosecutors from the International Legal Assistance Center North East Netherlands, United States Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the DEA’s country office in Hague, and the United States Postal Service. The arrests of the defendants took place due to the cooperation and assistance of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, the Colombian Central Directorate of the Judicial Police and Intelligence, Migracion Colombia, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Federal/State/Local authorities in New York, Iowa, Georgia, Florida, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey.
“Illegal narcotics trafficking now reaches every corner of our world, including our home computers,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr., whose office is handling the prosecution of the case. “But the reach of the law is just as long, and the Department of Justice will work with its partners, both nationally and internationally, to bring narcotics traffickers to justice, wherever they may hide. Working together, we want to make the Internet a safe and secure marketplace by rooting out and prosecuting those persons who seek to illegally pervert and exploit that market.”
The 12-count indictment charges that each of the defendants was a member of a conspiracy to distribute a variety of controlled substances world-wide through the use of on-line marketplaces that allowed independent sources of supply to anonymously advertise illegal drugs for sale to the public. According to the indictment, the operators of the on-line marketplaces provided a controlled substances storefront, order forms, on-line forums, customer service, and payment methods for the different sources of supply.
For customers, the operators screened all sources of supply and guaranteed delivery of the illegal drugs. The on-line marketplaces handled all communications between the sources of supply and customers. For these services, the operators charged a commission based upon the value of the order. Customers of the on-line marketplaces have been identified in every state and approximately 34 other countries.
The on-line marketplaces have multiple sources of supply offering various controlled substances, including LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), fentanyl, mescaline, ketamine, DMT, and high-end marijuana. Between January 2007 and October 2009 alone, defendants Willems and Evron processed approximately 5,256 on-line orders for controlled substances valued at approximately $1,041,244 via the on-line controlled substances marketplaces.
As alleged in the indictment, the Farmers Market, previously known as Adamflowers, operated on the TOR network. According to the indictment, TOR is a circuit of encrypted connections through relays on the TOR network that can be downloaded on home computers. TOR allows websites and electronic mail communications to completely mask IP address information by spreading communications over a series of computers, or relays, located throughout the world. The on-line marketplaces have accepted Western Union, Pecunix, PayPal, I-Golder, and cash as payment for illegal drug sales.
According to investigators, this drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) attempted to operate online in secrecy, utilizing the TOR network, IP anonymizers, and covert currency transactions; but investigators were able to infiltrate the DTO and its technology during the course of the investigation.
Those arrested were:
Marc Willems, 42, a Dutch citizen living in Lelystad, Netherlands Michael Evron, 42, a United States citizen living in Buenos Aires, Argentina Jonathan Colbeck, 51, of Urbana, Iowa Brian Colbeck, 47, of Coldwater, Michigan Ryan Rawls, 31, of Alpharetta, Georgia Jonathan Dugan, 27, of North Babylon, New York George Matzek, 20, of Secaucus, New Jersey Charles Bigras, 37, of Melbourne, Florida Each of the defendants is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life, and money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Defendants Willems, Evron, Jonathan Colbeck, Brian Colbeck, and Rawls are also charged with the distribution of LSD, which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life. Finally, defendants Willems and Evron are charged with participating in a continuing criminal enterprise, which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life and a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence.
In addition to those named in the indictment, authorities arrested seven other people this morning (two in Netherlands, one in Atlanta, two in New Hampshire, one in Pennsylvania, and one in New Jersey). During the course of the arrests made in this case, federal agents and local law enforcement officers also seized substances identified as hashish, LSD and MDMA, as well as an indoor psychotropic mushroom grow, and three indoor marijuana grows.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
hxxp://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2012/la041612.html
Edited by naum (04/20/12 06:31 PM)
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downlowfunk
Retired Festival Veteran
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: D.M.T]
#16110188 - 04/19/12 04:49 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Already Posted. Western Union and PayPal are the culprits. This information was already posted as well.
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D.M.T
Shroomery Contaminant
Registered: 10/31/09
Posts: 10,991
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: downlowfunk]
#16110215 - 04/19/12 05:06 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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I didn't notice. I was surprised this hadn't been posted. Close
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Symbols
§✪λⓡɕHⒶŠƎƦ
Registered: 03/13/12
Posts: 688
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: D.M.T] 2
#16110302 - 04/19/12 05:57 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
“The drug trafficking organization targeted in Operation Adam Bomb was distributing dangerous and addictive drugs to every corner of the world,
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shroomzi8
king of the wild fronteer
Registered: 10/04/10
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Loc: Valencia, Spain
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Symbols]
#16110452 - 04/19/12 06:59 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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total
Post Office Tyvek Advocator
Registered: 10/03/04
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: shroomzi8]
#16110566 - 04/19/12 07:49 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Drugs.... Putting people in prison for life... So sad that it works this way...
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HermitCrabsOnE
Ass Pincher
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: total]
#16110749 - 04/19/12 09:08 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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oh man, this is crazy. I used to think tor provided some sort of anonymity. The issue is all these dumb fucks probably wrote their real address...and they used USPS. Usps is the government's mailing system......come on guys, if your going to mail illegal drugs through the postal system, do it a smarter way.
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Absent Minded
Registered: 04/13/12
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: HermitCrabsOnE]
#16110778 - 04/19/12 09:20 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
HermitCrabsOnE said: oh man, this is crazy. I used to think tor provided some sort of anonymity. The issue is all these dumb fucks probably wrote their real address...and they used USPS. Usps is the government's mailing system......come on guys, if your going to mail illegal drugs through the postal system, do it a smarter way.
I don't think that was the issue - I believe (could be wrong) that even the gov't uses Tor. Do not quote me, I forget where I read that. I believe the problem was that they were using Western Union and Paypal, as someone here has already said, instead of using the Bitcoins that one of the other sites in this business uses.
-------------------- Beats More Beats sheekle: fuck peace love and unity sheekle: death despair and misery sheekle: is where it's at
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mushiefeet
Soggy Sock's Rainy Day's
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Symbols]
#16110847 - 04/19/12 09:44 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Symbols said:
Quote:
“The drug trafficking organization targeted in Operation Adam Bomb was distributing dangerous and addictive drugs to every corner of the world,
does the government even know cigs are bad? Cuz supposivly they say any addictive and abusive substance will be banned? guess not.
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maug
Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 1,703
Loc: inside you
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: mushiefeet]
#16111122 - 04/19/12 11:05 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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>>>“Illegal narcotics trafficking now reaches every corner of our world, including our home computers,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr.
It's in our homes! o_O And to think of all those times I had to go to downtown at 2am...
-------------------- I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction. -Calvin and Hobbes
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Symbols
§✪λⓡɕHⒶŠƎƦ
Registered: 03/13/12
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: maug] 1
#16111186 - 04/19/12 11:25 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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I find it interesting this is called "Operation Adam Bomb" being that Adam was originally reprimanded in the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit.
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Eminence
Registered: 07/25/10
Posts: 16,627
Loc: Richmond, VA
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Symbols]
#16111334 - 04/19/12 12:05 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Lol so if Western union and paypal are the culprits, than really they have nothing to get excited for thinking they can take everyone down. That's the easiest problem to solve.
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AcidStrippedMind
The Sunshine Fix
Registered: 02/03/11
Posts: 1,201
Loc: Appalachia
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Eminence]
#16111391 - 04/19/12 12:22 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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I've seen quite a few people go down thanks to Western Union. Hopefully this at the very least will serve as a testament that they WILL get you if they can.
Can't be too paranoid when it comes to this stuff.
-------------------- I am the storm. I am the wonder.
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Porupine Tree
Stranger
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: AcidStrippedMind]
#16113813 - 04/19/12 09:49 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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This makes me ill. Very nice, cool people.
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Porupine Tree
Stranger
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Porupine Tree]
#16115114 - 04/20/12 05:58 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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My friend liked to view that site for quite some time. I guess to live vicariously. Here's what he said: The site sold pot, hash & occasionally, mushrooms & LSD. He never saw DMT, MDMA, Ecstacy, etc.for sale as reported. Although their were people requesting them, they didn't have them.
He says it was very unfair that the DEA is reporting the site sold narcotics, and addictive drugs. It did not, nor were they even discussed on the site. No crack, prescription pain killers, meth, heroin, alcohol, or cigarettes. He says this was a site for folks that wanted some pot, but didn't know any dealers. That didn't want to get into that scene at all.
The report says $1 mill gross, in two years, but then goes on to say that something like 15 people were arrested. Divide that up and subtract costs and you have, sorry DEA, not a very big operation. I bet they spent more than that on this "investigation".
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RationalEgo
Principium Individuationis
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Porupine Tree]
#16115161 - 04/20/12 06:20 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Can't believe SOS was hit.......that means the DEA has a whole database full of almost all online vendors......damn. Just wait and see what happens next!
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Fishie
The sea is my home.
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: RationalEgo]
#16115287 - 04/20/12 07:23 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Funny. This is why you dont do anything on the net. If you keep to yourself and tell no one.. who would ever know?
-------------------- All my posts are fake. looking for: NES CONSOLE (NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
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Porupine Tree
Stranger
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: RationalEgo]
#16115625 - 04/20/12 09:40 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Sorry, should know, but what do you mean by SOS?
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D.M.T
Shroomery Contaminant
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: Porupine Tree]
#16115751 - 04/20/12 10:24 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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SoS = Initials to a site to verify legitimacy of vendors, assuming you know the vendor's name/email/addy first.
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Ogla
Registered: 02/16/04
Posts: 11,332
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Re: Operation Adam Bomb: Arrests of Creators, Operators of Online Secret Narcotics Marketplace [Re: D.M.T]
#16115824 - 04/20/12 10:52 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Western union and paypal were a part of it, but alot of the cover got blown cause hushmail spill the beans to the feds. If only they had used true pgp encryption. Operation Adam Bomb was indeed a very sad day. FM will be missed
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