Glendale Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Participating in Darknet Drug Distribution Ring

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Jacob Matthew Medina, 29, of Glendale, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 160 months in federal prison. Medina previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess fentanyl and heroin with intent to distribute, in connection with an Internet-based drug trafficking operation. 

In November 2018, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began an investigation of Darknet vendor “Ghost831,” who advertised heroin, methamphetamine, and oxycodone for sale on the Internet. On March 4, 2019, after identifying drug packages mailed by the vendor, investigators executed a federal search warrant at Medina’s residence in Glendale. Medina admitted that he had $31,000 in cash, a firearm, customer lists, package tracking numbers, 502 grams of counterfeit “M30” pills containing fentanyl, and over a pound of heroin in his residence. One of the customers on the list suffered a fatal drug overdose.

“Individuals like this defendant have played a direct role in fueling this nation’s opioid crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. “The presence of powerful drugs, such as fentanyl, in counterfeit pills that are sold over the Internet has endangered many lives throughout the United States. We are thankful for the strong efforts of our partners at the Postal Inspection Service for their role in interdicting and investigating dangerous contraband.”

“Mr. Medina profited off of numerous individuals addicted to opioids with his fentanyl-laced pills.  He utilized the dark web, mistakenly thinking he could outsmart the authorities.  The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating and dismantling drug trafficking organizations to keep U.S. Postal Service customers and employees safe from such dangerous drugs,” stated Inspector in Charge Melisa Llosa, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Phoenix Division.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR 19-329-001-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2022-002_MEDINA

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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