Dark Web Drug Dealers Caught with Over £100k in Cash and Crypto
Two men linked to a major organised crime gang have been locked up for running a high-tech drug empire across the UK. Jehanzeb Amar, 29, and Salahydin Warsame, 29, used the dark web and social media apps to sell Class A drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, and LSD, to thousands of customers.
13 Years for Kingpin Amar, 10 Years for His Sidekick
Amar, from Hounslow, was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court on 28 April. Warsame, from Birmingham, got 10-and-a-half years. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and acquiring criminal property.
Criminal Network Ran Automated Drug Sales via ‘LetsWork’ App
- The gang advertised drugs on a secure app called ‘LetsWork’ with over 1,000 subscribers.
- They took crypto payments and used an automated ‘bot’ to handle orders.
- They even sent updates apologising for supply issues during Covid-19.
- Photos showed kilo blocks of cocaine branded with their LW trademark to impress buyers.
Police Bust Operation in Birmingham and Hounslow
On 20 July 2020, Warsame was stopped driving near a Post Office in Birmingham. Officers found 61 drug packages ready to post across the UK. A hidden compartment in his van held more heroin and cocaine. Simultaneously, Amar was caught at a safe house prepping 20 more packages.
Officers seized kilo quantities of cocaine, 2,000 LSD tabs, cutting agents, phones, crypto wallets, laptops, and hundreds of pounds in cash linked to the gang’s operation.
£3.7 Million Made Through Cryptocurrency – But Police Shut Them Down
Police recovered £32,850 in cash and £71,038 in cryptocurrency. An investigation revealed ‘LetsWork’ earned a staggering £3.7 million in crypto payments during the illegal enterprise. Amar’s bank account showed deposits of over £140,000 from these gains.
Detective Sergeant Damian Hill said: “Amar and Warsame thought they could act with impunity online. They were wrong. Our teams worked hard to stop this multi-million-pound criminal network.”
“Anyone ordering drugs online with cryptocurrencies is not anonymous and risks prosecution – and falling victim to criminals.”
