Three charged in cyber drug bust worth $1.6m in crypto

Three people have been charged after allegedly selling drugs, including e-cigarettes and lollies containing THC, through the dark web near the Lake Macquarie area in NSW.

Police say the trio made more than $1.6 million in cryptocurrency in sales.

Following search warrants at two properties at Swansea, and a storage facility at Caves Beach yesterday, a man and woman – aged 47 and 42 – were arrested at a home in Swansea.

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A short time later, a 30-year-old man was arrested at a different home and taken to Toronto Police Station.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis.

More than 100 litres of THC-based chemicals, 15kg of lollies believed to be laced with a prohibited drug and several electronic devices were seized by police for examination.

Cybercrime Squad Commander Detective Acting Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said police are well equipped to deal with anyone engaging in illicit activity on the dark web.

"These arrests should serve as a warning to those using the internet to conceal criminal activity: your anonymity is not guaranteed, and you aren't outside the reach of law enforcement," Superintendent Arbinja said.

"Cybercrime Squad investigators will continue to work closely with local police across the state to investigate any incidents of online drug supply and disrupt those activities."