According to a United States Court order, <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/crypto/sky-justin-gornik-proven-guilty-of-drug-trafficking-by-using-cryptos/">dark web</a> drug dealer could forfeit approximately $150,000 worth of Bitcoins. The Wisconsin court-ordered Christopher Bania to give in 17 Bitcoin (BTC) which authorities seized from his ‘LocalBitcoins’ account. However, the court will return at least 124 BTC to the defendant, besides several other cryptocurrencies AND cash valued at roughly $50,000 during press time; that were seized from his residence upon being arrested. 

Bania was initially charged with maintaining drug property, importation of controlled substances and money laundering. On September 6 and what led to the recent October 19 court ruling; was Bania’s plea to the single charge of possessing controlled substances with the intention of distributing. This charge carries a maximum jail sentence of at least 20 years.
<h2>Dark Web Marijuana, MDMA LSD Chain</h2>
Bania’s plea admitted to selling MDMA, LSD, marijuana, and cocaine on the dark web. Meanwhile, he denied to be distributing methamphetamines, cocaine base and heroin, which authorities seized from his residence.

Border patrol officers officially launched the investigation into Chris Bania’s dealings after they intercepted two MDMA packages from Belgium. The investigators tracked Bania’s use of distributed networks on the dark web through his transaction notebooks. A court magistrate described the notebooks as meticulous. 

The court scheduled Bania’s sentencing to December 9. 
<h2>Other Prosecutions and Developments</h2>
Well, recently intelligence agencies in the United States uncovered investigation strategies to follow transaction trails through the blockchain; to track down darknet criminals. In August, a couple pleaded guilty to charges similar to Baine’s. Meanwhile, at the end of July, a man in <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/19/florida-sues-walgreens-cvs-over-opioid-sales.html">Florida admitted operating a massive distribution chain for opioid</a> on the web. The court fined the man a whopping $4 million. 

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US Court Orders Dark Web Drug Lord to Forfeit $150K worth of Bitcoin

Richard is a versatile fintech analyst with a deep understanding of blockchain domains. As much as technology fascinates him, he finds the intersection of both technology and finance mind-blowing. The firm belief that fintech will drive the future has brought him to the crossroads of Fintech discoveries and transmission of immutable data to a wider audience.

US Court Orders Dark Web Drug Lord to Forfeit $150K worth of Bitcoin

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