Three charged over ‘dark web’ drug distribution ring worth more than $17 million

A trio in their early twenties have been charged over selling and distributing illicit and pharmaceutical drugs worth $17 million dollars.

Three people accused of selling and distributing drugs worth more than $17 million have been charged in what police believe is the “first and largest penetration of the dark web” in Australia.

The trio — a 25-year-old man and two women, aged 20 and 24 — were arrested on Thursday as part of a broader investigation into drug supply dating back to 2018.

It came after detectives uncovered a “sophisticated online drug distribution network” operating from NSW’s South Coast.

Police will allege the 25-year-old man has been operating as an online vendor on the dark web, selling illegal drugs and prescription medications for several years.

The women are accused of then packaging and posting the items, which included MDMA, LSD and methamphetamine, to buyers across Australia.

“This is probably the first and largest penetration of the dark web in Australia and it’s resulted in taking out a syndicate who have dealt around $17 million of drugs across the nation,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

Following raids on five properties across the NSW South Coast and Sydney on Thursday morning, officers recovered 2.5kg of white powder, 200g of MDMA, more than 100,000 LSD tabs and a significant quantity of Xanax made to look like candy, he said.

Sophisticated computer equipment, a significant quantity of cash and several vehicles including a Maserati and a Mercedes-Benz were also seized.

Police say an initial analysis of the vendor cryptocurrency wallets indicates that more than $17 million has been transacted through the syndicate.

All three are charged with large commercial drug distribution offences and were refused bail to appear at Nowra Local Court on Friday.