Rancho Cordova Residents Charged For Selling Cannabis And Mushroom Drugs For Bitcoin Payments

Two residents of Rancho Cordova in California have been charged for selling marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms on social media and receive payments in Bitcoin (BTC). The information was released by local media a few days ago. Both of the residents of Rancho Cordova, Nathan Paul Barnes and Tiarra Maureen Jackson, are held responsible for seven-count indictment, according to the U.S. Attorney McGregor W.Scott.

The individuals were operating an enterprise distributing drugs in the region and around the world. The company was called ‘Fine Cali Herb’ and was promoted through different social networks such as Instagram and Snapchat.

According to the report, the individuals received the payments in Bitcoin. At the same time, they discovered on social media accounts and emails that they were selling drug products. If they are convicted, these individuals would have to pay a fine of around $1 million and a maximum penalty of 20 years of prison. The sentence would be determined after the consideration of other statutory factors.

The statement reads as follows:

“Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

This is not the first time that criminals sell drugs and receive payments in virtual currencies. There are several cases all over the world related to this issue. Spain and Colombia, for example, were able to dismantle a criminal group that laundered money using virtual currencies. Additionally, the Spanish Police was able to shut down a criminal organization with the Austrian police.

The Silk Road, an online black market, was used for criminals to buy and sell illegal drugs and other goods and services. Users could pay using virtual currencies such as Bitcoin. The marketplace was closed back in 2013 and its owner, Ross Ulbricht, arrested.