California duo accused of laundering crypto from fentanyl and meth sales

California prosecutors have charged two people with running a darknet drug operation that allegedly laundered crypto proceeds from fentanyl and methamphetamine sales.Authorities said the suspects shipped more than 500 drug parcels and operated an illegal ghost gun manufacturing setup.The case adds to a series of U.S. actions targeting cryptocurrency linked to drug trafficking and money laundering.　　According to a Wednesday statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Nicholas Aguilar and Jessica Marcolina allegedly operated vendor accounts under the name “HotGirlzClub” across multiple darknet marketplaces and shipped more than 500 drug parcels across the United States during a seven-month period in 2025.　　Federal prosecutors allege the pair laundered proceeds from those sales through cryptocurrency transactions intended to hide the origin of the funds before law enforcement identified the operation.　　Searches of the suspects California residence uncovered drug packaging materials, a food processor containing suspected narcotics residue, firearms, and warning labels advising customers to “be safe until you know your tolerance for the product,” the Justice Department said.　　Investigators also accused Aguilar and Marcolina of operating an illegal firearms manufacturing operation that produced ghost guns, suppressors, and upper and lower firearm receivers.　　If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in prison on drug trafficking conspiracy charges