Hydra Marketplace Leader Sentenced to Life; 15 Accomplices Also Convicted

A Russian court has sentenced the leader of infamous dark web marketplace Hydra to life in prison.

A marketplace for mayhem

The notorious marketplace was founded in 2015 and evolved into a hub for illicit activities, primarily illegal drug dealing. As prosecutors revealed, the platform allegedly processed transactions worth an estimated 1 billion rubles ($9.3 million) every year until its takedown.

Hydra’s notoriety grew as it spread its tentacles towards other criminal activities besides illegal drug trading, including alleged offers for terrorist acts for monetary compensation, declared Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, as reported by The Register.

Hydra allegedly facilitated terrorist acts

"The perpetrators offered internet users to commit terrorist acts, including those directed against the state power of the Russian Federation, as well as other crimes, for monetary compensation," reads the Ministry of Internal Affairs statement. "According to the available information, the announcements calling for illegal acts are distributed by call centers located in Ukraine."

The group’s downfall began in 2022 when international law enforcement agencies seized Hydra’s infrastructure and conducted sweeping raids across Russia and Belarus. Authorities recovered nearly a ton of illegal narcotics, cars, houses, and other valuable assets tied to the operation.

Life in prison and hefty fines for those involved

The accused, Stanislav Moiseev, branded the mastermind behind Hydra, faced a life sentence and a fine of 4 million rubles ($37,500).

Fifteen of Moiseev’s accomplices received sentences ranging from eight to 23 years in penal colonies and collective fines totaling 20 million rubles (roughly $187,500).

The group is appealing the verdict, with reports suggesting that the conditions of their imprisonment are among the strictest. The court's decision followed a guilty verdict handed down by a jury in Moscow. Charges included the production and sale of psychotropic substances and drugs, crimes that carried severe penalties under Russian law.