- The operation was very complicated because the criminals have almost no contact with customers
- They use apps and crypto-purses to trade
Police in Shanghai arrested a drug trafficking gang that created a huge network across the country. Criminals sold marijuana, LSD and other psychotropics. They encrypted the locations of the “bookmarks” through a special application. And payment for the goods was accepted through cryptocurrencies.
In order to identify the criminals, police officers pretended to be customers. First, they ordered several shipments of drugs to lull the gang’s vigilance. And then they figured out several locations of the gang members and came in with a search.
Modern technology makes the investigation much more difficult, the police admit.. For example, drug dealers have little or no contact with customers. They send the location of the product through a decentralized app. And they accept payment by crypto-purse.
Moreover, even in electronic correspondence, sellers and buyers use code words. On the darknet, there are terms such as “brick” for “package of drugs,” “lion shaking his head” for “ecstasy,” etc.
In order to catch criminals, police officers have established several locations where drugs are regularly hidden.. Then they tracked down the couriers delivering the goods through cameras. It turned out to be 360-year-old local resident Zhao and his accomplice Chen. The arrestees gave information about the other members of the gang. They have now all been detained and are awaiting trial.