Pharaoh, Alleged Darknet Drug Dealer Facilitating $100M Crypto Sales, Arrested in New York

Taiwanese Drug Dealer ‘Pharaoh’ Arrested for Cryptocurrency Sales

Taiwanese national and dark web drug dealer Rui-Siang Lin, known as ‘Pharaoh’, has been arrested by U.S. authorities for allegedly making over $100 million in cryptocurrency sales of illegal narcotics.

Incognito Market and Arrest

Lin operated the online “Incognito Market” under the alias ‘Pharaoh’ for nearly four years. He was apprehended at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. The U.S. attorney’s office stated that Lin sold illegal narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, to customers globally.

Charges Against ‘Pharaoh’

Lin faces charges including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics conspiracy, money laundering, and conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication. These charges carry severe penalties, with the most serious offense carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.

Law Enforcement Action

U.S. authorities, in collaboration with the El Dorado Task Force’s Darkweb and Cryptocurrency Task Force, employed advanced techniques to capture Lin. This successful operation demonstrates the commitment to pursuing criminal actors, whether on the streets or the dark web.

Incognito Market Operations

‘Pharaoh’ ran the Incognito Market, described by the FBI as one of the largest online platforms for narcotics sales. The platform facilitated $100 million in illicit transactions, with vendors paying a percentage to ‘Pharaoh’ for each sale. The market had its own banking system to process cryptocurrency transactions.

FBI’s Response

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith emphasized the FBI’s dedication to dismantling criminal enterprises, particularly those distributing illegal substances on the dark web. The arrest of ‘Pharaoh’ highlights the ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities in the digital realm.