Taiwan Case: Incognito Market Operator Sentenced for Darknet Drug Supermarket

A 24-year-old administrator from Taiwan has become the face of one of the largest online drug trafficking operations in history. Rui-Siang Lin, operating under the pseudonym “Pharaoh,” ran Incognito Market—a black market platform that processed over $105 million in transactions between October 2020 and March 2024. The case revealed how criminals across different regions, including Taiwan, are able to carry out sophisticated money laundering and controlled substance distribution operations for hundreds of thousands of buyers worldwide.

The Trafficking Machine: Scale and Global Reach

U.S. federal investigators found that the platform handled more than 640,000 sales transactions. Prosecutors described the network as one of the largest drug distribution channels on the dark web since the historic Silk Road crackdown. Incognito Market not only facilitated transactions: it contributed to at least one recorded death and intensified the opioid crisis in the U.S. The scheme’s sophistication even impressed seasoned investigators—it was effectively a digital drug supermarket with decentralized infrastructure.

How the Identity Was Discovered: Blockchain Analysis and Operational Errors

Despite precautions, Lin made critical security mistakes that exposed his location and identity. U.S. authorities used blockchain tracking combined with undercover purchases to map the network. Domain records contained his real name, phone number, and residential address. These geographic and personal details stored on servers served as digital clues that led directly to him. Investigators also discovered that Lin had studied at National Taiwan University before engaging in criminal activities, and later worked in San Lucia in a technical role, where he occasionally trained local authorities in cybercrime and cryptocurrencies.

Sentencing and Case Significance

In December 2024, Lin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute narcotics, money laundering, and conspiracy to market adulterated and counterfeit medications. The U.S. federal court sentenced him to 30 years in prison. Authorities described the case as a significant milestone in combating online illicit markets, demonstrating that there are no geographically secure borders—even operators in Taiwan cannot remain anonymous in the face of U.S. agency efforts. The outcome underscores how blockchain tracking technologies and shared intelligence among agencies can dismantle the largest drug trafficking operations of the digital age.