Empire Market Co-Founder Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

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28.01.2026 19:19

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Raheim Hamilton, co-founder of Empire Market, pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges for facilitating $430 million in illegal transactions from 2018 to 2020. Empire Market, a dark web marketplace, operated as a hidden service via TOR browsers and was modeled after AlphaBay. The platform facilitated drug sales totaling nearly $375 million, along with stolen credentials, counterfeit currency, and hacking tools. Hamilton admitted to designing the market to evade law enforcement and launder money through cryptocurrency transactions.

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28.01.2026 19:19 1 articles · 23h ago

Empire Market Co-Founder Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy
Raheim Hamilton, co-founder of Empire Market, pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges for facilitating $430 million in illegal transactions from 2018 to 2020. The marketplace, which operated as a hidden service via TOR browsers, facilitated drug sales totaling nearly $375 million. Hamilton admitted to designing the market to evade law enforcement and launder money through cryptocurrency transactions. Authorities seized $75 million in cryptocurrency and Hamilton agreed to forfeit significant assets.
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Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
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Information Snippets

Empire Market had 1.68 million unique registered users at its peak in August 2020, including nearly 360,000 buyers and over 5,000 vendors.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
The marketplace facilitated over 4 million transactions between vendors and buyers.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
Hamilton and co-defendant Thomas Pavey hired moderators to resolve disputes and handle customer issues.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
Law enforcement made undercover purchases of heroin and methamphetamine from Empire Market vendors between April 2019 and May 2020.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
Authorities seized $75 million in cryptocurrency during the investigation.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
Hamilton agreed to forfeit 1,230 bitcoin, 24.4 Ether, and three Virginia properties.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19
Pavey agreed to forfeit 1,584 bitcoin, 25-ounce gold bars, three cars, and two Florida properties.
First reported: 28.01.2026 19:19

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- Empire cybercrime market owner pleads guilty to drug conspiracy — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 28.01.2026 19:19