New York City, NY – A Queens native, Nan Wu, 39, was sentenced Thursday to six-and-a-half years in prison for masterminding one of the largest dark web drug-trafficking operations in U.S. history, prosecutors said. Wu admitted to operating the illicit online marketplace “FireBunnyUSA”, which shipped more than 10,000 packages of cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and other drugs to customers across all 50 states.
Massive Dark Web Operation
Between January 2019 and August 2022, Wu, along with four accomplices — Peng Peng Tang, Bowen Chen, Zixiang Lin, and Katie Montgomery — generated over $7.2 million through cryptocurrency exchanges. Prosecutors say the group laundered more than $7.9 million through multiple dark web vendors.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the work of prosecutors and analysts in the case, stating:
“The dismantling of this illegal drug trafficking operation highlights the ability of my office’s prosecutors and analysts to trace cryptocurrency and unmask those committing crimes on the dark web.”
Plea Agreement and Seized Assets
As part of a plea deal, Wu, who was already in federal custody in a separate case, agreed to surrender 20 bitcoin, 3,297 Monero, and $12,857 in cash, all recovered during the investigation.
Wu appeared before Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Michele Rodney, having pleaded guilty in April to criminal sale of a controlled substance and money laundering charges.
Operation Timeline and Evidence
Originally based in Flushing, Wu’s operation shipped thousands of drug packages across the country before relocating to Upland, California, in April 2022.
As per The Post, investigators made 11 undercover purchases of cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine from Wu’s group, including shipments directly into Manhattan. Following Wu’s arrest in June 2022, law enforcement recovered:
- 1 kilogram of ketamine
- More than 1,200 MDMA pills
- ½ kilogram of MDMA in rock form
- Additional drugs and shipping materials
The four other accomplices have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Statements from Authorities
DA Bragg emphasized the broader implications of the case:
“Whether on the dark web or on our city’s streets, we will root out criminal organizations who put our community’s health at risk.”
Wu is still awaiting sentencing in his federal case, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on June 11. Federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence between 6 to 8 years, and Wu’s attorney, Barry Zone, expects the state and federal sentences to run concurrently.
What are your thoughts on dark web drug enforcement?
Share your opinion in the comments — do you think current laws are effective in stopping these operations, or should stricter measures be enforced?
