Feds in Boston seize website domains, crypto accounts tied to China gun smuggling scheme

Federal authorities in Boston seized two internet domains and two cryptocurrency accounts that were allegedly used for the illegal importation of machine gun conversion devices from China.

More than 3,000 machine gun conversion devices were confiscated during this investigation along with 282 firearms, 124 silencers, and more than 12,000 rounds of ammunition.

Machine gun conversion devices — commonly known as “switches” or “sears” — are parts designed to convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic machineguns. It’s illegal to possess these items and import them from certain countries, including China.

The feds in the last couple years began targeting websites, businesses and individuals who were selling, importing, and exporting machine gun conversion devices.

Authorities confirmed that these website domains were being used to sell the devices through undercover purchases. The feds also identified cryptocurrency accounts that were used by the device vendors to facilitate their sales.

“To conceal the alleged illegal importation, the contraband items sold from the domains were allegedly smuggled inside air cargo shipments from China to government-controlled mailboxes in the United States,” the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s office wrote.

The devices were packaged with other goods and were not properly declared with U.S. Customs.

The website domains also allegedly trafficked counterfeit goods and unlawfully used the Glock, Inc. trademark by offering purported “Glock” switches for sale. However, Glock, Inc. has never manufactured switches.

“Federal authorities ultimately established probable cause to seize for forfeiture the internet domains and funds within the cryptocurrency wallets which were used in connection with the scheme to import MCDs,” the feds wrote.