Florida grand jury indicts two over darknet fentanyl ring and crypto laundering

A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida indicted Los Angeles residents Nicholas Aguilar, 44, and Jessica Marcolina, 37, on July 15, 2026, accusing them of operating a nationwide darknet fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution network under the alias “HotGirlzClub” and laundering the proceeds through crypto. Prosecutors charged both with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering, while Aguilar also faces allegations tied to illicit firearms manufacturing. The drug conspiracy count carries a potential life sentence if they are convicted, and the money laundering conspiracy count carries up to 20 years. Investigators said the case stretches back to at least 2020 and tied more than 500 parcels of fentanyl and methamphetamine to the alleged operation during a seven-month period in 2025. The indictment alleges hundreds of thousands of dollars in digital currency proceeds were laundered through various concealment methods, though it does not identify specific tokens or protocols. Authorities also said Aguilar’s residence contained drug packaging materials, fraudulent identification documents, and a ghost gun (privately made untraceable firearm) manufacturing setup that included suppressors and firearm components. The investigation was part of a broader Homeland Security Investigations task force targeting transnational criminal networks.