One of the Operators of "CaliCartel" Drugs Vendor Account Sentenced
~3 min read | Published on 2023-06-07, tagged Darkweb-Vendor, Sentenced using 580 words.
A California was imprisoned for 120 months for his role in the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine through multiple dark web vendor accounts.
According to court documents, 44-year-old Ian Hoffmann of Bell Canyon was sentenced after he admitted he was involved in the operation of various drugs vendor accounts including "CaliCartel" and "BuxomBrunette" on Dream Market, "Playground" on Silk Road 3.1, and "GambinoCrimeFamily" on Wall Street Market from at least June 2018 to May 2019.
The investigations that resulted in the identification and conviction of Hoffmann were conducted by agents from the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force. During the investigations, the investigators made multiple undercover purchases from the vendor accounts and conducted surveillance on the suspected operators of the accounts.
In the first purchase, the investigators ordered two grams of cocaine from Calicartel on Dream Market on October 15, 2018. On October 22, they received 2.9 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. They later found out that the postage label used on the package had been acquired from Encidia, an internet postage provider. The account used to purchase the label belonged to Gabriel Alva, one of Hoffmann's co-conspirators.
On January 10, 2019, the investigators purchased 3.5 grams of heroin from "RaiseAppeals" on Dream Market. On January 11, the investigators conducted surveillance at Alva’s residence. They observed Catherine Stuckey, Hoffmann's other accomplice, and Alva exit the residence. Stuckey was carrying a large bin while Alva had a bag. The pair loaded the bin into a car and drove to a local Post Office.
At the post office, they dropped off approximately 42 packages, collected free shipping supplies offered by USPS, and drove back to Alva’s residence.
A package addressed to the address given to RaiseAppeals during the undercover purchase the previous day was found among the packages. A worker at the post office told the investigators that either Alva or Stuckey or both mailed packages at the post office almost every day.
While conducting surveillance at the post office on April 12 and 15, the investigators observed Hoffmann drop off multiple packages at the post office's collection box. The packages dropped by Hoffmann bore the same return address as that on packages mailed by CaliCartel.
While conducting surveillance at Hoffmann's residence on May 2, the investigators observed Alva arrive at the residence in his car. Alva carried multiple bags into the residence and exited later carrying fewer bags than he came with.
The investigators arrested Hoffmann and his co-conspirators on May 16, 2019. A search at Stuckey’s residence resulted in the seizure of more than 23 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.9 kilograms of heroin, and 2.7 kilograms of cocaine. Stuckey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances on July 14, 2020.
At Alva's residence, the investigators found approximately 2 kilograms of heroin, over 2 kilograms of cocaine, and approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine. They also seized two firearms. Alva pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on June 6, 2023.
After searching Hoffmann’s residence, the agents found and seized over 2 kilograms of heroin, more than 7 kilograms of cocaine, and more than 19 kilograms of methamphetamine. The Agents also seized two loaded firearms, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, more than $250,000 in cash, a money counter, several scales, and packaging materials.
Hoffmann pleaded guilty on October 5, 2021. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on June 6, 2023.
Meth sold to investigators
According to court documents, 44-year-old Ian Hoffmann of Bell Canyon was sentenced after he admitted he was involved in the operation of various drugs vendor accounts including "CaliCartel" and "BuxomBrunette" on Dream Market, "Playground" on Silk Road 3.1, and "GambinoCrimeFamily" on Wall Street Market from at least June 2018 to May 2019.
The investigations that resulted in the identification and conviction of Hoffmann were conducted by agents from the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force. During the investigations, the investigators made multiple undercover purchases from the vendor accounts and conducted surveillance on the suspected operators of the accounts.
In the first purchase, the investigators ordered two grams of cocaine from Calicartel on Dream Market on October 15, 2018. On October 22, they received 2.9 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. They later found out that the postage label used on the package had been acquired from Encidia, an internet postage provider. The account used to purchase the label belonged to Gabriel Alva, one of Hoffmann's co-conspirators.
On January 10, 2019, the investigators purchased 3.5 grams of heroin from "RaiseAppeals" on Dream Market. On January 11, the investigators conducted surveillance at Alva’s residence. They observed Catherine Stuckey, Hoffmann's other accomplice, and Alva exit the residence. Stuckey was carrying a large bin while Alva had a bag. The pair loaded the bin into a car and drove to a local Post Office.
At the post office, they dropped off approximately 42 packages, collected free shipping supplies offered by USPS, and drove back to Alva’s residence.
A package addressed to the address given to RaiseAppeals during the undercover purchase the previous day was found among the packages. A worker at the post office told the investigators that either Alva or Stuckey or both mailed packages at the post office almost every day.
While conducting surveillance at the post office on April 12 and 15, the investigators observed Hoffmann drop off multiple packages at the post office's collection box. The packages dropped by Hoffmann bore the same return address as that on packages mailed by CaliCartel.
Hoffmann carrying drug packages into the post office
While conducting surveillance at Hoffmann's residence on May 2, the investigators observed Alva arrive at the residence in his car. Alva carried multiple bags into the residence and exited later carrying fewer bags than he came with.
The investigators arrested Hoffmann and his co-conspirators on May 16, 2019. A search at Stuckey’s residence resulted in the seizure of more than 23 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.9 kilograms of heroin, and 2.7 kilograms of cocaine. Stuckey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances on July 14, 2020.
At Alva's residence, the investigators found approximately 2 kilograms of heroin, over 2 kilograms of cocaine, and approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine. They also seized two firearms. Alva pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on June 6, 2023.
After searching Hoffmann’s residence, the agents found and seized over 2 kilograms of heroin, more than 7 kilograms of cocaine, and more than 19 kilograms of methamphetamine. The Agents also seized two loaded firearms, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, more than $250,000 in cash, a money counter, several scales, and packaging materials.
Hoffmann pleaded guilty on October 5, 2021. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on June 6, 2023.
