UK dark web drug dealers busted selling cocaine for Bitcoin

A handful of UK-based dark web drug dealers have been busted selling cocaine (or a Class A drug) on the dark web, dealing with Bitcoin. The group sold the drugs on the dark web under the brand 'Project4'.

Thames Valley Police said that Colin McCabe, 39, Toby Woods and Robert Price, both 36 made over £1 million ($1.2 million) selling Class A drugs on the dark web. The FBI discovered the trio, who were using Bitcoin to hide from authorities and selling drugs as far away as Australia.

McCabe was the leader of the dark web gang, jailed for 12 years after he admitted conspiracy to supply drugs that included cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine. Price was jailed for 9 years and 9 months after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply drugs, while Woods was sentenced to 14 months after confessing to entering into, or being concerned in the acquisition or control of criminal property.

How were they caught?

The DNA of one of the accused was found on the packaging of the envelope that had the drugs inside, and then once authorities arrested McCabe they discovered more evidence of "drug dealing, including packing materials and phones containing addresses of buyers", reports the BBC.