In a major victory against illicit online drug trafficking, a federal jury in Utah has convicted Los Angeles resident Enrique Isong, 49 and his co-conspirator for operating a massive $8 million opioid ring on the dark web. The criminal enterprise, led by Las Vegas kingpin Oluwole Adegboruwa, sold over 300,000 oxycodone pills to customers across the United States. In this article we talk about LA Man Convicted in Utah Court for Massive Dark Web Opioid Ring.
According to CBS NEWS, after a two-week trial, the Salt Lake City jury found Isong and Adegboruwa guilty on May 20 of federal charges including oxycodone distribution and money laundering. The illicit operation spanned from October 2016 to May 2019, generating millions in profits through sales on now-shuttered dark web marketplaces like Dream Market, Wall Street Market, Hansa and AlphaBay.
Cryptocurrency at the Heart of the Criminal Conspiracy
Prosecutors revealed that Adegboruwa, 54, ran online vendor pages under the aliases “King Odua” and “Alagbada726,” accepting cryptocurrency payments in Bitcoin and Ethereum. He would then convert the digital currencies into traditional fiat currency, enabling the criminal profits to enter the mainstream financial system.
The jury’s verdict against Adegboruwa carries severe financial penalties. He must forfeit over $15 million worth of cryptocurrency, $380,395.64 in cash, 26 money orders totaling $9,400 and a 2017 Dodge Charger valued at $15,500. Adegboruwa was convicted under the “kingpin statute” for organizing the criminal enterprise and overseeing at least five co-conspirators.
Intricate Logistics to Evade Law Enforcement
During the trial, Adegboruwa testified that he was the sole operator of the dark web vendor pages, directing his LA and Las Vegas accomplices to package and ship pills across the United States. Co-conspirators who had previously pleaded guilty provided testimony detailing the intricate logistics employed to sort, package and discreetly ship oxycodone pills to limit damage and avoid detection by law enforcement.
One customer even took the stand, recounting how they would order drugs online which would subsequently arrive at their home via USPS Priority Mail, illustrating the nationwide reach of the operation.
Severe Consequences and Interagency Cooperation
Isong and Adegboruwa are scheduled for sentencing in August 2024 and face severe penalties for their roles in the multimillion-dollar conspiracy. The case was investigated by the DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which targets high-level drug trafficking organizations.
This conviction represents a significant blow against the flourishing underground trade of opioids and other illicit substances on the dark web. It exemplifies the collaborative efforts of federal agencies to combat the opioid epidemic and dismantle sophisticated criminal enterprises exploiting cryptocurrencies and encrypted online marketplaces to distribute deadly narcotics.
As digital technologies evolve, law enforcement must remain vigilant and enhance its capabilities to detect, investigate and prosecute those peddling addiction and suffering through these clandestine virtual channels. Victories like this case serve as a powerful deterrent and reinforce the commitment to holding dark web drug traffickers accountable for their actions. I sincerely hope you find this “LA Man Convicted in Utah Court for Massive Dark Web Opioid Ring-What’s The Story?” article helpful.
Ruby Arora is the lead writer at LosAngelesDailyNews.net, where she brings her extensive expertise in journalism and communications to cover Los Angeles’ vibrant culture and breaking news. Ruby holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and has a track record of delivering insightful and accurate stories. Connect with her on Instagram and YouTube for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.
