An international online drug ring has been broken up and federal investigators say a Milton man is one of the masterminds behind it.
At least eight men are accused of running an elaborate operation that sold illicit narcotics, including LSD, marijuana and ketamine. They face numerous charges, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering.
Ryan Rawls, 31, of Milton is accused of selling LSD under the moniker "jootgatter" over several years. DEA agents arrested Rawls at his apartment off Morris Road. Neighbor Brian Eligado tells Channel 2 Action News he was surprised to see something like that in Milton.
"We moved all the way up here to kind of get away from all that stuff. I guess it's everywhere," said Eligado.
The indictment alleges the group had some 3,000 customers in all 50 states and in 24 countries, with sales exceeding $1 million. The men are accused of using an online network called "TOR Network," first developed by the U.S. Navy to protect government communications. It keeps people from tracking the users by allowing people to spread messages through a volunteer network of servers around the world.
Rawls' arrest was part of an international takedown called operation "Adam Bomb."
Police also arrested Marc Willems in the Netherlands on Monday, as well as another suspect, Michael Evron, in Argentina. Jonathan Colbeck, Brian Colbeck, Jonathan Dugan, George Matzek and Charles Bigras are also charged for their role in the alleged ring.