Federal prosecutors have charged two Los Angeles residents with allegedly operating a nationwide darknet drug business that distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine while laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency proceeds. According to a U.S. Department of Justice report, Nicholas Aguilar, 44, and Jessica Marcolina, 37, allegedly operated vendor accounts under the name “HotGirlzClub” across multiple darknet marketplaces. Prosecutors said the accounts supplied customers throughout the United States, including buyers in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida.
A Southern District of Florida grand jury returned the indictment. Although both defendants are California residents, prosecutors linked the alleged operation to drug shipments sent into South Florida.
More than 500 parcels linked to darknet vendor accounts
Aguilar and Marcolina allegedly used the U.S. Mail to ship packages containing controlled substances from as early as 2020 until their arrests. During a seven-month period in 2025, investigators identified more than 500 shipped parcels believed to contain narcotics and linked them to the operation. The figure covers only parcels identified during that period and may not represent the full volume allegedly shipped over the operation’s entire duration.
Searches of the defendants’ California residences allegedly uncovered distribution quantities of suspected controlled substances, drug packaging materials, printed warning labels, U.S. Postal Service supplies, a label maker, heat and vacuum-sealing equipment and a food processor containing suspected narcotics residue. Authorities also recovered electronic devices, firearms and fraudulent identification documents bearing the names of identity-theft victims.
Investigators said warning inserts found during the searches were identical to notices included with undercover purchases. The inserts warned customers about overdose risks, which prosecutors presented as evidence that the defendants knew the substances they allegedly distributed posed serious dangers.
Crypto laundering route remains undisclosed
Prosecutors allege that Aguilar and Marcolina used cryptocurrency transactions to conceal the source and ownership of proceeds from drug sales. However, the Justice Department did not identify the cryptocurrencies, blockchains, wallets, exchanges or other services allegedly involved. It also did not disclose an exact amount or announce any crypto seizure or recovery.
That limited disclosure differs from the separate AudiA6 crypto laundering case, where authorities identified a service accused of laundering more than $389 million in cryptocurrency linked to darknet markets, ransomware and other illicit activity. The AudiA6 case has no stated connection to the California defendants.
The investigation involved the IRS Criminal Investigation, DEA, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The DOJ did not specify whether blockchain analytics were used to trace the alleged proceeds. The case also comes amid broader action against criminal financial networks. INTERPOL’s recent global fraud and money laundering crackdown resulted in 5,811 arrests and the interception of $293 million across 97 countries and territories. That operation focused on online fraud and has no connection to Aguilar or Marcolina.
Aguilar separately linked to firearms manufacturing
The firearms manufacturing allegation applies specifically to Aguilar rather than both defendants. Authorities said Aguilar possessed two loaded handguns and a rifle. He is also accused of operating an illegal manufacturing setup that produced ghost guns, suppressors and upper and lower firearm receivers.
Aguilar and Marcolina are each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, each defendant could face up to life in prison on the drug-trafficking conspiracy count and up to 20 years on the money-laundering conspiracy count.
The case is listed in the Southern District of Florida under case number 26-cr-20280. The indictment contains allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
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