Photo: Radis B / Pexels
Three verdicts in cases involving four online drug shops have taken effect in Astana, with members of the groups sentenced to between 16 and 17 years in prison. Investigators discovered 88 crypto wallets holding assets worth more than 2 billion tenge. The convicted individuals’ money, digital assets, property and cars have been confiscated (kursiv.media).
What happened
The verdicts concern members of criminal groups linked to the shops San-Andreas, Mus, Zadira and Tsarstvo Aida. According to the prosecutor’s office, the groups sold drugs through online shops. They used other people’s bank cards and digital assets to process payments.
Responsibilities within the groups were divided among organisers, supervisors, warehouse handlers and couriers who left drugs in hidden locations. The organisers ran the shops, arranged supplies of illegal substances and provided funding. The supervisors oversaw the couriers involved in distributing drugs.
The so-called warehouse handlers received, stored and packaged drugs for distribution. The couriers were responsible for deliveries through hidden drop-off points. Members thus performed different tasks, from supplying and storing drugs to getting them to buyers.
How the participants’ roles were established
In court, prosecutors presented messages containing instructions and records of bank transfers. The evidence included photographs of drug drop-off points with geographic coordinates. Seized drugs and the equipment used to package them were also presented to the court.
Taken together, this evidence established links between members of the criminal groups. Prosecutors used it to determine each person’s role in the illegal drug trade. Following the trials, the participants were sentenced to 16 and 17 years in prison.
What this means
Alongside the convictions of group members, a separate investigation is underway into suspected organisers abroad. Astana’s special prosecutors paid particular attention to the activities of Zadira and Tsarstvo Aida. The investigation established that cryptocurrency had been used to process payments.
Law enforcement officers identified 88 crypto wallets holding digital assets worth more than 2 billion tenge. These findings relate to the financial side of the investigation into the criminal groups’ activities.
Organisers awaiting extradition from Montenegro
Special prosecutors identified the suspected organisers of Zadira and Tsarstvo Aida, who are abroad. Their extradition from Montenegro to Kazakhstan is now expected. The investigation into these individuals continues.
