An FBI ‘Asset’ Helped Run a Dark Web Site That Sold Fentanyl-Laced Drugs for Years

Wired

by Andy Greenberg

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

An FBI confidential human source played a significant role in running the dark web marketplace Incognito, which facilitated the sale of over $100 million worth of narcotics, including fentanyl-laced pills linked to a fatal overdose. During sentencing hearings, it was revealed that this informant had substantial control over the site's operations, approving vendors and overseeing transactions despite knowing about the risks posed by fentanyl sales. Lin Rui-Siang, a key figure in the operation, received a 30-year prison sentence for his role in the drug market, which contributed to the death of tennis player Reed Churchill due to a lethal dose of fentanyl purchased through Incognito. The case highlights the complexities of law enforcement's involvement in dark web operations. The informant, acting as an FBI asset, allegedly managed 95% of the site's transactions and held significant authority over its day-to-day activities. This included decisions on which vendors could sell drugs and disputes among users. While Lin claimed the

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Originally published on Wired on 2/19/2026