Trio jailed for dark web crypto drug sales

Malcom Magala, Alain Kirunda-Nsiiro and Jerome Omard were sentenced at Reading Crown Court

Three men who sold Class A drugs across the country using the dark web and cryptocurrency have been jailed.

Malcolm Magala was identified as being behind an online persona selling heroin and crack cocaine on various dark web marketplaces since 2020.

Alain Kirunda-Nsiiro and Jerome Omard used a Post Office in Walthamstow to post the packages of drugs to customers.

The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (Serocu) said their convictions showed activities on the dark web "are detectable".

Serocu investigators tracked cryptocurrency payments and customer parcels when Omard was on his way to the post office in July 2022.

Officers located 138g of heroin hidden inside a music speaker, as well as more drugs hidden at other locations in his property.

At the same time, officers intercepted Magala who was found in possession of £3,150 of cryptocurrency, as well as cryptocurrency hardware.

His home was searched and a small pill press was discovered, along with small quantities of pills.

Kirunda-Nsiiro was arrested a few days later.

Magala, 37, of Oriel Road in Portsmouth, was sentenced to 11 years and three months' imprisonment for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs - cocaine and heroin - and acquiring criminal property. He pleaded guilty at a hearing on 18 February.

Omard, 44, of Durban Road, Waltham Forest, London, was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs - heroin - and acquiring criminal property. He pleaded guilty at a hearing on 28 August 2024.

Kirunda-Nsiiro, 39, of Higham Hill Road, Waltham Forest, London was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs - heroin - and acquiring criminal property.

He pleaded not guilty, but was convicted following a two-week trial at Reading Crown Court on 1 August.

Det Insp Rob Bryant said the conspiracy was a "complex operation" to sell and distribute drugs.

"I hope that this shows criminals that their activities on the dark web are detectable and that we can and do monitor their behaviour before carrying out arrests and bringing them before the courts," he added.