A 23-year-old individual from Taiwan has been arrested in New York for his alleged involvement in operating an illicit online narcotics marketplace known as the "Incognito Market" on the dark web.
Incognito Market Founder Gets Arrested in New York
Identified as Rui-Siang Lin, also known by aliases such as "Pharoah," Lin's arrest unfolded at John F. Kennedy Airport over the weekend, with a scheduled court appearance slated for the following Monday, as confirmed by the Justice Department.
Attorney General Merrick Garland labeled Lin as the alleged orchestrator behind the illicit enterprise, boasting a staggering $100 million scheme that purportedly trafficked deadly drugs across international borders, including the United States.
The incriminating details emerged from investigations into the "Incognito Market," an online dark web platform where users could anonymously buy and sell narcotics worldwide.
Lin's alleged role as the brains behind this operation, operating under monikers like "Pharoah" or "faro," thrust him into the spotlight of a multimillion-dollar operation.
Incognito Market was conceived in October 2020 and served as a clandestine hub for narcotics transactions, facilitating over $100 million in sales, including substantial quantities of cocaine and methamphetamines, before its closure in March, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). It operated within the concealed realms of the dark web, accessible globally via the Tor web browser.
According to prosecutors, Lin exercised comprehensive control over Incognito Market's activities, overseeing its workforce, suppliers, and clientele, thus wielding authority over its multimillion-dollar dealings.
Incognito Market's Modus Operandi
The DOJ further noted that the modus operandi of Incognito Market mirrored that of legitimate e-commerce platforms, complete with branding, promotional activities, and customer support, aimed at streamlining the narcotics trade across international borders.
Upon registration, users gained access to a plethora of listings featuring various narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, and oxycodone, often advertised as authentic prescription medication despite being misbranded or counterfeit.
The undercover operations unearthed alarming instances, such as the sale of purported oxycodone tablets, which subsequent testing revealed to be fentanyl pills.
Vendors on Incognito Market reportedly paid the platform a commission for each sale, contributing to its operational expenses, including employee salaries and server maintenance. Lin allegedly amassed millions in profits from these transactions, facilitated by the platform's proprietary banking system.
If found guilty, Lin could potentially receive a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment for participating in an ongoing criminal enterprise and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for involvement in a narcotics conspiracy.
Additionally, he could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for money laundering and up to five years in prison for conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication.
A federal district court judge will make the final sentencing decision, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
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