#Dark Web Drug Ring "Postmates" and "FuegoPacksXpress" Shut Down

#The Operation

A Bibb County resident has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin as part of a nationwide dark web trafficking operation that authorities say remained active through May 2026. Eric Turner, from Lizella, faces federal charges after agents alleged he stored and shipped multiple pounds of heroin to Florida in coordination with a co-conspirator.

The two men established multiple dark web storefronts under the names "Postmates" and "FuegoPacksXpress," selling MDMA, heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to customers across the nation. According to the affidavit, their stores claimed to have shipped drugs to approximately 1,800 customers nationwide.

#Financial Desperation Leads to Crime

Turner's entry into drug trafficking began with financial desperation. According to a 63-page DEA affidavit, Turner faced near-bankruptcy in 2024 due to overextended real estate investments. To escape his financial crisis, he turned to illegal drug sales.

In August 2024, he texted a friend:

"I'm back in the game, bro"

claiming he possessed 7,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl (street name "M30s") that he was selling for $10 each. In another message, Turner wrote:

"Bro, we have the opportunity buried in my woods lol. All we gotta do is move them."

Federal agents discovered these messages after obtaining a search warrant for Turner's iCloud account, which the affidavit described as containing "an extraordinary amount of information" about the drug operation.

#How the Scheme Worked

The scheme operated with a straightforward model: Turner supplied drugs from Georgia while his Florida-based partner, Jose Smith, handled preparation and distribution. Smith initially used a press machine to manufacture MDMA tablets before the operation expanded.

#Evolution to Heroin-Only Operation

By 2025, the operation shifted to deal exclusively in heroin. Court documents included photographs of kilogram-sized heroin bricks that Turner allegedly secured and shipped to Florida for further distribution by Smith to the dark web customers.

#Final Post on Dread Forum

Just days before federal agents closed in on the operation, the "Postmates" vendoraccount posted an update on Dread, a popular dark web forum, on June 2, 2026. The message, signed with a PGP cryptographic signature, revealed the operation was going dark:

Postmates - Update 6/2/26 PSA

Hey everyone, we're sorry for not coming back like we said we would. Unfortunately we've decided to take a break for awhile longer until we figure some things out with our inner network. All orders that came in when we originally thought we'd be back have been canceled and refunded. If/When we figure this shit out we'll let you all know. But until then all business will be halted. We really appreciate you all for the business and we're sorry for not being able to cater to you all at a much needed time like now. If we end up not coming back then maybe its for the better who knows? atleast we made it out of this with some good money. To everyone asking if we're okay, YES we are fine. Just handling a lot of things from the business side to try and get this shit running again. In case we decide to not come back then it was nice knowing and doing business with you all. We hope you all stay safe and please be careful. We love you all! <3

— Postmates

The post suggested operational troubles and hinted at potential permanent closure, though it made no mention of law enforcement pressure. Within days, both Turner and Smith were arrested.

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#Federal Investigation Timeline

• August 2024 — Turner announces return to drug dealing
• 2024-2025 — Operation sells MDMA, heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills
• 2025 — Operation shifts to heroin-only
• May 7, 2026 — Agents observe Smith dropping heroin at USPS mailboxes
• June 1, 2026 — 1-kilogram heroin brick seized from Macon post office
• June 2, 2026 — Postmates posts vague shutdown notice on Dread forum
• June 2026 — Both men arrested and charged

#Arrest & Evidence

On May 7, 2026, agents observed Smith dropping envelopes containing suspected heroin into USPS mailboxes while wearing latex gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. The breakthrough came when agents seized a parcel sent from a Macon post office on June 1, believed to have been shipped by Turner to Smith. The package contained a kilogram-sized brick of heroin intended for Smith to use in fulfilling orders from the dark web customers.

#Charges & Current Status

Both men were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

• Eric Turner — Booked into Bibb County jail; held for U.S. Marshal Service
• Jose Smith — Arrested in connection with the case