Meganne Dallas Money, a 26-year-old woman from Texas, is facing charges after trying to buy Bitcoin worth $20,000 so she could purchase drugs from dark web marketplaces.
According to court documents, the woman intended to buy a kilogram of alprazolam online.
Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine drug also recognized as Xanax, is a schedule IV narcotic under U.S. drug laws.
Defendant in a Federal Case Led to the Woman's Arrest
In December 2018, a defendant in a federal case led the police to Money.
The informant told the police that he knew her because she was trying to exchange cash for Bitcoin in order to purchase a kilogram of alprazolam from the dark web.
Under surveillance of law enforcement, the defendant agreed to meet Money at a Wendy's parking lot on December 4, 2018. Police made the arrest after she got into the informant's vehicle.
Houston police stated that Money was carrying a loaded pistol at the time of the arrest.
In a police interview, Money made an agreement to cooperate with investigators in the case. Money was then charged with a felony charge of illegal barter this earlier this month.
Money's Cooperation with the Police
According to local media reports, Money waived her Miranda Rights and disclosed to investigators that she was given $20,000 by a man named "Adam," who arranged the meeting at Wendy's.
Money also confessed to the authorities that she knew the exchanged Bitcoins would be used for drug purchases, more specifically alprazolam, from the dark web.
Alprazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine traded under the name Xanax.
The demand for Xanax has significantly increased in recent years as it picks up popularity among younger generations worldwide.
Further, Money added that she had exchanged cash for Bitcoin on Adam's behalf in two previous occasions.
For each exchange, Money states she received about $1,000. For the $20,000 exchange for Bitcoin, Money expected to make around $4,000.
According to police records, Money and Adam communicated through texts and messages on Facebook and Signal.
She also stated that another person named "Beezy" ran the whole exchange operation.
The documents show Money is currently out of jail on a $15,000 bond. She is due in court on June 19, 2019.