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'Dark web' drug dealer jailed for two years 'Dark web' drug dealer jailed for two years
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A drug dealer who sold cannabis and magic mushrooms on the “dark web” service Silk Road has been jailed for two years.A drug dealer who sold cannabis and magic mushrooms on the “dark web” service Silk Road has been jailed for two years.
Cei William Owens was arrested with six other Britons last year by the National Crime Agency as part of an international sting on Silk Road 2.0 – an online market designed to let people buy and sell illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services anonymously.Cei William Owens was arrested with six other Britons last year by the National Crime Agency as part of an international sting on Silk Road 2.0 – an online market designed to let people buy and sell illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services anonymously.
The 29-year-old later pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying or offering to supply class A and B drugs, as well as three counts of possession.The 29-year-old later pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying or offering to supply class A and B drugs, as well as three counts of possession.
Swansea crown court heard Owens went under the online pseudonym of Johnny Alpha and carried out drug deals using the digital currency Bitcoin as part of his “organised and sophisticated” mail order-style service. As well as advertising “quality hash”, he promised free next-day delivery, offering to send illegal substances via first class registered post. Swansea crown court heard Owens went under the online pseudonym of Johnny Alpha and carried out drug deals using the digital currency Bitcoin as part of his “organised and sophisticated” mail order-style service. As well as advertising “quality hash”, he promised free next-day delivery, offering to send illegal substances via first-class registered post.
Following a raid at his home in north Wales last year, detectives found drugs, digital scales and encryption software installed on his computer.Following a raid at his home in north Wales last year, detectives found drugs, digital scales and encryption software installed on his computer.
Despite a defence plea to hand out a suspended sentence, recorder Ian Murphy QC said he had no choice but to impose an immediate prison sentence on Owens. He said: “The nature of your operation was both sophisticated and very well organised. Photographic exhibits show that a room in your house had been turned into a distribution centre and you had numerous customer feedback on your dark web profile.Despite a defence plea to hand out a suspended sentence, recorder Ian Murphy QC said he had no choice but to impose an immediate prison sentence on Owens. He said: “The nature of your operation was both sophisticated and very well organised. Photographic exhibits show that a room in your house had been turned into a distribution centre and you had numerous customer feedback on your dark web profile.
“You even boasted that you would not sell anything that you would not take yourself. However, you did not know and did not care who you were selling to – they may have been children or vulnerable people.”“You even boasted that you would not sell anything that you would not take yourself. However, you did not know and did not care who you were selling to – they may have been children or vulnerable people.”