U.S. Treasury Sanctions Iranian National Tied to Illegal Darknet Drug Marketplace Nemesis

The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national linked to the darknet drug marketplace Nemesis, which has facilitated the sale of nearly $30 million worth of drugs, primarily using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR). The action includes the blacklisting of 49 cryptocurrency addresses associated with Nemesis. Following its inception in 2021, Nemesis became a significant hub for illegal drug transactions, amassing over 30,000 active users. U.S. and global authorities have ramped up enforcement against similar platforms, and the crackdown on Nemesis is part of broader efforts to combat illicit drug trade facilitated through cryptocurrency channels. The platform had reportedly been attempting a revival after being temporarily seized in March 2024.