Bitcoin Trail Leads to 12-Year Term for NJ Trafficker

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Bitcoin Trail Leads to 12-Year Prison Term for New Jersey Drug Trafficker

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Key Takeaways

William Panzera from New Jersey received 12 years in prison for using Bitcoin to purchase fentanyl and other drugs from China;
The operation used crypto and bank transfers to move large amounts of synthetic opioids into New Jersey;
Panzera was found guilty of drug trafficking and money laundering after sending Bitcoin to Chinese suppliers.

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Bitcoin Trail Leads to 12-Year Prison Term for New Jersey Drug Trafficker

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A man from North Haledon, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for using Bitcoin BTC $89,330.13 to buy fentanyl and other drugs from China, according to the US Department of Justice.

William Panzera was found guilty in 2025 of drug trafficking and international money laundering, according to a statement published on January 22.

Prosecutors said he was part of a group that moved large amounts of synthetic opioids from China to New Jersey, where the drugs were resold as powder and fake prescription pills.

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The operation ran for about six years, from 2014 to 2020. Investigators said the network bought fentanyl analogues, MDMA, methylone, and ketamine from Chinese suppliers.

Payments were sent through both regular bank transfers and Bitcoin, which helped the group avoid financial oversight.

Panzera’s role was central to the operation. Officials said the group sent hundreds of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency to China in exchange for drugs that contributed to widespread opioid abuse in US communities.

After a federal trial, Panzera was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess more than 100 grams of furanyl fentanyl and 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl. He was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit international money laundering.

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