William Gibson of Versus Market Arrested in Colombia

On Monday, July 8, Colombian authorities arrested Patrick Schmitz, a German citizen that was suspected operating on the darknet, in a significant operation that concluded years of intensive investigation. Schmitz, wanted in both Colombia and the United States, faces charges of drug trafficking, arms sales, money laundering, and distribution of child pornography through dark web transactions. He was identified as a key intermediary between the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel and the Colombian Clan del Golfo.

The arrest, coordinated by Colombian police and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), took place in Taganga, a tourist destination near Santa Marta. Schmitz, who had been hiding in Colombia since 2015, managed his extensive criminal operations from a secluded luxury cabin equipped with an elaborate surveillance system, weapons, and a satanic altar.

Schmitz's dark web expertise facilitated a wide range of illicit activities, including the sale of cocaine, synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and arms trafficking. He used sophisticated methods such as Hawala and Espejo (Mirror) to process payments between criminal organizations in Colombia, Central America, and the United States. Additionally, Schmitz invested in real estate and the hotel sector along Colombia's Caribbean coast to launder his criminal proceeds.

Investigations revealed that Schmitz was not only involved with the Sinaloa Cartel but also had connections to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). He maintained a criminal network of collaborators who aided in the shipment of narcotics to the United States by contaminating containers. His operations extended to the sale false documents, and hacking services.

The Colombian National Police uncovered Schmitz's routine of frequenting high-end hotels in Santa Marta and La Guajira to meet with drug traffickers and investors. He employed professionals in accounting, business administration, and law to create a facade of legitimacy for his illicit earnings.

Schmitz's capture was the result of a meticulous undercover operation involving both Colombian and U.S. authorities. Agents from the Colombian Attorney General's Office, along with U.S. HSI agents, participated in the arrest after a user named William Gibson and an account named PapaLegba were detected, marking their location in Colombia. Specialized intelligence and surveillance activities revealed IP addresses associated with Schmitz's criminal activities. In one instance, investigators obtained a discarded alcoholic drink to capture his fingerprints, ultimately confirming his identity. An undercover intelligence agent infiltrated Schmitz's network, uncovering vital information about his criminal contacts and communication methods.

With Schmitz's arrest, authorities have disrupted a significant criminal link between Colombian and Mexican cartels. He is now facing extradition to the United States, where he will answer to numerous charges related to his extensive criminal activities.

Schmitz's arrest is one of several major busts of dark web administrators this year, signaling that operating in these illicit networks is becoming increasingly dangerous. Law enforcement agencies worldwide are intensifying efforts to crack down on dark web activities, leading to numerous high-profile arrests and dismantling sophisticated criminal enterprises.