Nova Scotia RCMP allege Halifax man used ‘dark web’ to sell opioids in U.S., Canada

The Mounties say they’ve shut down a Nova Scotia-based drug trafficker who was using the dark web to seek customers across Canada and the United States.

The federal policing branch of the RCMP says it received information from the U.S. Homeland Security agency in February that a trafficker has been distributing opioid drugs in both countries.

Investigators say the man was advertising on websites that can’t be accessed through conventional browsers, and was being paid with crypto currency.

Police used surveillance and undercover operations to determine the dealer was based in Halifax, alleging he sent packages through the mail.

The police force has laid charges against 37-year-old John Nicholas Allen-Simec, of Halifax, for offences relating to the trafficking of drugs.

He is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court on Nov. 6.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2023.