Canadian National Indicted for Fentanyl Distribution and Importation into NJ

Michael C. Wozney faces a 14-count indictment for distributing and importing dangerous fentanyl through the dark net, with ties to New Jersey.

Newark, NJ – In a significant crackdown on dark net drug trafficking, Michael C. Wozney, a 38-year-old Canadian, has been charged with multiple counts related to the distribution and importation of fentanyl into the United States, as announced today by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Wozney, hailing from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, is confronting a 14-count indictment. This includes seven counts each of distribution and possession with intent to distribute, as well as the importation of fentanyl, a controlled substance, into the U.S.

Court documents and statements reveal that from June 2019 to September 2020, Wozney operated as a dark net vendor. This segment of the internet, largely inaccessible through standard web browsers, facilitates anonymous transactions. He executed hundreds of fentanyl sales across various dark net marketplaces, including the notorious Empire Market. His operations extended into the United States, with New Jersey being among the destinations for his shipments.

Wozney's dark net advertisements boasted fentanyl products, some described as "close to pure" and at a "DANGEROUS LEVEL." He employed shipping methods designed to circumvent detection and seizure by border and law enforcement authorities. In cases where shipments were seized, Wozney demonstrated persistence, reshipping orders and informing customers of revised mailing tactics to avoid future detection.

Each count in this indictment brings a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, spearheaded the investigation leading to these charges. Contributions from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielson, and the FBI's Pittsburgh Division, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Shanahan, were also pivotal.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vinay S. Limbachia of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrime Unit in Newark is representing the government in this case.

It is crucial to note that the charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations at this stage. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case highlights the ongoing battle against the illegal drug trade, particularly involving substances like fentanyl, which pose a significant threat to public health and safety. The intricate and covert operations of dark net marketplaces and the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies to tackle these issues are of paramount importance to the residents of Morristown, Morris County, and New Jersey at large.