A Nigerian, Oluwole Adegboruwa, residing in the United States, alongside his accomplice, Enrique Isong, has been sentenced to a combined 40 years in prison for operating a sophisticated drug trafficking operation through the dark web. The duo orchestrated the sale and distribution of banned substances across multiple states in the U.S., generating millions in illegal profits.

Overview of the Conviction

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah disclosed the sentencing in a statement on Thursday. The court ordered Adegboruwa, the leader of the syndicate, to forfeit $20 million in addition to his 30-year prison term. His co-defendant, Isong, was sentenced to 10 years in October 2024.

The operation spanned several years, during which Adegboruwa and his network sold over 300,000 oxycodone pills. The criminal enterprise generated approximately $9 million in proceeds from October 2016 to May 2019.

Details of the Drug Trafficking Operation

The court documents revealed that Adegboruwa supervised a highly organized operation. His syndicate used dark web marketplaces to sell the pills, accepting payments primarily through cryptocurrency to avoid detection. These payments were later converted to fiat currency.

The operation was structured with specific roles assigned to its members:

• Procuring pharmacy-grade pills for resale.
• Packaging and shipping the drugs to customers across the United States.
• Managing financial transactions, including cryptocurrency accounts.

Arrest and Sentencing

Adegboruwa was arrested after an intensive investigation by U.S. authorities. In November 2024, the U.S. District Court Judge Jill N. Parish sentenced him to 30 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and a $20 million forfeiture. This penalty is among the largest financial recoveries from a single defendant in the District of Utah’s history.

Isong, who assisted in managing logistics for the operation, received a 10-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release in October 2024.

Court Proceedings and Confessions

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence proving Adegboruwa’s role as the mastermind. The convict confessed to:

• Controlling the sales of illicit drugs on dark web platforms.
• Managing monetary transactions, including the use of cryptocurrency.
• Initiating the entire operation and overseeing its day-to-day activities.

The court described the operation as complex and well-concealed, demonstrating the extensive effort Adegboruwa invested in avoiding law enforcement detection.

Reaction from Authorities

The sentencing has been lauded by U.S. law enforcement agencies. Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division, emphasized the case’s significance in tackling dark web drug trafficking.

“Adegboruwa’s criminal drug enterprise was complex, sophisticated, and generated millions of dollars in profits concealed in cryptocurrency transactions. This sentencing is a stark reminder that the DEA is relentless in the pursuit of justice and that drug traffickers cannot hide their illicit activities even in the secretive expanses of the dark web,” Pullen stated.

Implications of the Sentencing

This case serves as a landmark in the fight against drug trafficking through digital platforms like the dark web. The forfeiture of $20 million, alongside lengthy prison sentences, highlights the commitment of U.S. authorities to dismantling such operations.

The convictions also underscore the growing use of cryptocurrency in criminal activities, prompting law enforcement agencies to develop advanced tools for tracking and seizing digital assets.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Oluwole Adegboruwa and Enrique Isong represents a significant victory for U.S. authorities in combating the proliferation of illegal drugs through online marketplaces. The case reinforces the message that sophisticated attempts to evade detection, such as using the dark web and cryptocurrency, will not shield criminals from justice.

With the DEA and other agencies intensifying efforts to monitor digital drug markets, the operation’s dismantling also serves as a warning to other criminal enterprises leveraging similar tactics.