He worked with the pseudonym ‘Snowcap’
A Devon man selling drugs on the dark web has had £1.3million of cryptocurrency seized by police and has been jailed.
Ryan Coleman, of Sherwell Valley Road, Torquay, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday (September 15) at Exeter Crown Court.
The 36-year-old previously admitted to supplying cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and ketamine.
Police became aware of Coleman four years ago and had information which suggested he was involved in the movement and laundering of crypto.
Police carried out a warrant at Coleman’s home in Torquay, where his computer was seized.
Officers spoke to Coleman on the phone, and he agreed to hand himself in later the same day.
Before that, Coleman attempted to hide £550,000 in crypto assets.
He also looked up how to clear data from a phone and deleted messages about drug sales and crypto accounts, but police were able to recover them.
Forensic investigators found that Coleman had been trading on the dark web under the pseudonym ‘Snowcap’ for six years.
International law enforcement agencies shut down two marketplaces, and police confirmed that ‘Snowcap’ had been operating through the sites.
Coleman sold 80kg of Class A and B drugs in total, worth over £1million over 18,5000 sales.
Police also found that Coleman used cryptocurrency to fund his lifestyle, which included holidays, sporting activities and a personal trainer.
Cryptocurrency is a digital form of money, with no physical notes or coins.
It can be used to buy products and services, but many mainstream shops will not accept crypto as a form of payment.
Cryptocurrency is not controlled by banks or the government, and it can be traded more anonymously than other methods of payment.
Coleman was charged and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, ketamine, and being in possession of criminal property.
Police seized cryptocurrency estimated to be worth £1.3million and will attempt to confiscate the money through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
If successful, the funds will be reinvested into Devon and Cornwall Police to fund proactive operations.
Half of the money will go to HM Treasury to invest in public services.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Sam Smoothy said: “This case highlights the evolving tactics of organised crime groups using cryptocurrency and the dark web to facilitate illicit drug trade.
“Through advanced blockchain analysis, collaboration with international partners and traditional investigative techniques, we were able to dismantle a sophisticated operation, seize significant assets, and bring Ryan Coleman to justice.
“This serves as a clear message: Devon & Cornwall Police is continually advancing our investigative methods to track, trace, and disrupt criminal networks and drug trafficking will not be tolerated.”