U.S. authorities have sentenced several members of the FireBunnyUSA group after uncovering a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency laundering scheme tied to dark web drug operations. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the defendants pleaded guilty to running the operation, which involved laundering more than $7.9 million through crypto exchanges and cash drop networks.
The DOJ revealed that the group sold illegal narcotics on dark web marketplaces and converted cryptocurrency payments into cash using peer-to-peer traders and U.S. mail services. One of the defendants, identified as the ringleader, coordinated nationwide shipments and leveraged multiple crypto wallets to conceal profits. The case highlights how dark web operators increasingly use decentralized finance tools and crypto-mixing services to disguise illicit transactions.
Authorities said the convictions are part of a broader crackdown on crypto-related crime, as federal agencies intensify efforts to track blockchain transactions linked to drug trafficking. Sentencing for the primary defendants includes several years in federal prison and asset forfeitures exceeding $4 million. The DOJ emphasized that further investigations remain ongoing, with potential additional arrests tied to the laundering network.