Categories: Stories

Worthless Zimbabwe dollars a treasure for prolific US dark web dealer

Worthless Zimbabwe dollar notes whose biggest denomination was Z$100 trillion before the local currency was phased out in 2009 were a treasure for a United States dark web dealer who pleaded guilty to money laundering and distributing powerful opioids over the “dark web”.

Richard Castro of Windermere, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute three controlled substances – carfentanil, phenyl fentanyl, and fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The drugs are said to be more powerful than heroin.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

He will be sentenced on 25 October.

Castro laundered his narcotics proceeds in several ways, including by funneling millions of dollars through his Bitcoin wallets and by buying approximately 100 quadrillion Zimbabwe bank notes, among other valuables.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, he agreed to forfeit US$4 156 198.18, including the funds or currency in seven different Bitcoin wallet addresses.

It is not clear what Castro wanted to use the Zimbabwe dollars for but they can be auctioned to collectors of souvenirs.

Z$100 trillion dollar notes are selling Ebay for anything up to US$820 depending on the packaging.

(149 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Who propped whom: Masiyiwa vs Nyambirai?

A friend who knows about my legal battle with Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, way…

May 1, 2026

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to decide

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwe constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to…

March 24, 2026

Who started the war?

It is now 47 years since I wrote the short story below for a South…

March 4, 2026

Zimbabwe 2026 monetary policy statement at a glance

Zimbabwe has released its 2026 monetary policy statement in which it seeks to stabilise its…

March 1, 2026

Was Chombo Mugabe’s number two?

Far from it, on paper that is. Ignatius Chombo was one of the longest serving…

February 6, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 citizen’s budget

Zimbabwe on Thursday announced a ZiG290.9 billion budget with revenue expected to be ZiG287.6 billion,…

November 30, 2025