- John Khuu has been sentenced to 87 months in prison for laundering cryptocurrency proceeds from drug sales
- He ran a dark web operation importing drugs from Germany and selling them across the U.S. using Bitcoin
- His conviction is part of Operation Crypto Runner, a wider crackdown on cryptocurrency-based money laundering networks
John Khuu, a 29-year-old from San Francisco, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for his role in a cryptocurrency-based money laundering scheme. Khuu laundered Bitcoin earned from selling drugs on dark web markets, importing counterfeit pharmaceuticals and MDMA from Germany for distribution across the United States. His case is one of many targeted under Operation Crypto Runner, a federal crackdown on transnational cryptocurrency money laundering networks.
Dark Web Drug Trafficking and Cryptocurrency Laundering
According to court documents, Khuu ran an illegal drug business on dark web marketplaces, importing drugs from Germany and selling them to U.S. buyers in exchange for Bitcoin. The anonymity offered by cryptocurrency transactions allowed him to operate discreetly while laundering proceeds through a network of financial accounts. Authorities say Khuu used a mix of bank accounts and crypto wallets to obscure the origin of funds, a common tactic among dark web drug dealers.
Federal authorities, including the U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations, collaborated on the case, ultimately securing Khuu’s conviction for conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. emphasized the importance of holding crypto-enabled criminals accountable, stating that “this case highlights how digital currencies are being exploited for illegal activities, but law enforcement is adapting to counter these threats.”
Operation Crypto Runner Catches Another Crook
Khuu’s arrest and conviction fall under Operation Crypto Runner, a large-scale initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at dismantling international cryptocurrency-based money laundering operations. Since its launch in 2022, the operation has led to the indictment of 21 individuals and disrupted over $300 million in fraudulent transactions linked to money laundering schemes.
The initiative focuses on dismantling both domestic and foreign entities that funnel illicit funds, often linked to romance scams, business email compromises, and technical support fraud. With such success already, the operation can be called an unqualified success, with more arrests hopefully to follow.
