Nigerian gets 30 yrs sentence in US for drug trafficking, dark web operations

A court in the United States has sentenced Oluwole Adegboruwa, a 54-year-old US-based Nigerian, and his accomplice Enrique Isong to a combined 40 years in prison after finding them guilty of masterminding a multi-million dollar dark web drug trafficking operation.

The sentence was imposed by the U.S. District Court Judge Jill N. Parish after a jury found Adegboruwa and his co-defendant, Isong, guilty in May 2024 of multiple federal crimes, including conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and money laundering.

The prosecutors of the case were Assistant United States Attorneys Thaddeus J. May, Jennifer E. Gully, and Stewart M. Young of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

Adegboruwa received a 30-year sentence, ordered supervised release for life, and the forfeiture of over $20 million.

The $20 million forfeiture is among the largest forfeitures holding a defendant financially accountable for his crimes in the history of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

Isong, on the other hand, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

The jury found that Adegboruwa organised and supervised a continuing criminal enterprise that earned approximately $9,112,471 in drug proceeds.

It also found that he was unquestionably in charge of the illicit narcotics operation. Each member of his enterprise served in different capacities.

Adegboruwa admitted to committing these offenses in court.

U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah vowed to protect the community from illicit drugs and dismantle drug trafficking operations by prosecuting and seeking justice for the crimes.

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“This case further demonstrates that true anonymity on the dark web is a myth,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Services State Phoenix Division Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson.

“U.S. Postal Inspectors remain steadfast in their commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations, ensuring the safety of USPS customers and employees alike.”

On his part, DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge, Jonathan Pullen, noted that Adegboruwa’s criminal drug enterprise was complex, sophisticated, and generated millions of dollars in profits concealed in cryptocurrency transactions.

He added that the Nigerian sentencing is a 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.

Also, Special Agent in Charge, Carissa Messick, for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office, stressed that money laundering continues to be a top investigative priority for IRS-CI.

She added, “The forfeiture amount in this case alone highlights the magnitude of the investigation conducted by IRS-CI special agents, its impact on our community, and IRS-CI’s relentless commitment to uncovering illegal schemes by following the money.”