Alleged Fentanyl Mail Ring Gets Euclid Man Arrested

EUCLID, OH — A 28-year-old Euclid man has been arrested and charged in federal court for allegedly ordering suspected fentanyl, and other opioid analogues, from China and then selling the drugs in the U.S. Antoin Austin has been charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

“This defendant ordered thousands of deadly doses of fentanyl from China, brought it to a residential neighborhood in Euclid and then mailed the dangerous drugs all over Ohio and across the country,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said in an emailed statement. “Drug traffickers like this have enriched themselves while causing so much pain in our community.”

Austin allegedly used the online moniker "DARKKING22" on the dark web. During the month of March, the Department of Justice's affidavit, said Austin advertised the following items for sale: “Fentanyl Pure HCL, Methozymethylfentanyl ‘30490’, molly, pure lofentanil, and MMAF New Product.”

Methozymethylfentanyl, pure lofentanil, and MMAF New Product are all types of fentanyl-type narcotics.

In October 2017, law enforcement seized a package being shipped to Austin from a known Chinese fentanyl distributor. Law enforcement opened the package and found 10 grams of fentanyl.

Earlier this year, law enforcement went undercover and made multiple purchases of opioids from DARKKING22. The purchases were made using bitcoins and the shipments indicated the drugs were being shipped from the Cleveland-area.

Then, in March, law enforcement tracked the shipment of a package sent by DARKKING22 to the Wickliffe Post Office on Lloyd Road. This week, surveillance groups saw Austin travel from his home in Euclid to the Wickliffe Post Office, where he allegedly tried to mail packages using false return addresses.

“Opioids have killed thousands of our friends and neighbors. The FBI will continue to work with all our partners to reduce the supply of these deadly drugs," said Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeff Fortunato.

The investigation into Austin was led by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

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