A person from North Haledon, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal jail for utilizing Bitcoin
$89,606.79
to purchase fentanyl and different medication from China, in line with the US Division of Justice.
William Panzera was discovered responsible in 2025 of drug trafficking and worldwide cash laundering, in line with an announcement printed on January 22.
Prosecutors mentioned he was a part of a bunch that moved massive quantities of artificial opioids from China to New Jersey, the place the medication have been resold as powder and pretend prescription tablets.
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The operation ran for about six years, from 2014 to 2020. Investigators mentioned the community purchased fentanyl analogues, MDMA, methylone, and ketamine from Chinese language suppliers.
Funds have been despatched by way of each common financial institution transfers and Bitcoin, which helped the group keep away from monetary oversight.
Panzera’s position was central to the operation. Officers mentioned the group despatched a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} in cryptocurrency to China in trade for medication that contributed to widespread opioid abuse in US communities.
After a federal trial, Panzera was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess greater than 100 grams of furanyl fentanyl and 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl. He was additionally discovered responsible of conspiracy to commit worldwide cash laundering.
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