#Federal Charges Filed Against "Starlabs" Dark Web Drug Vendor Linked to Greater Cincinnati Overdose Deaths

A Jacksonville, North Carolina man who operated an online drug shop under the username "Starlabs" has been arrested and faces federal charges after investigators tied his dark web operation to at least two fatal overdoses in the Greater Cincinnati area.

#The Defendant and Charges

Alexander Green of Jacksonville, North Carolina, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, as well as distribution of controlled substances. He was arrested Wednesday and turned over to U.S. Marshals on Thursday. Green waived his right to hearings in North Carolina and agreed to be transferred to Cincinnati to face charges.

According to federal court filings, Green admitted to operating "Starlabs," an online drug shop where he allegedly conspired with others to obtain and distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills in exchange for cryptocurrency, shipping products through the mail from North Carolina to buyers across multiple states, including Ohio.

#The Overdose Deaths and Initial Investigation

Two fatal overdoses in March prompted the investigation that ultimately led to Green's arrest. In Blue Ash (Hamilton County), investigators collected wrappers with powder residue and drug paraphernalia at the scene. In Clearcreek Township (Warren County), authorities found the victim holding a small bag; his parents told investigators he had been purchasing drugs from the dark web.

At both overdose scenes, agents discovered U.S. Postal Service packages bearing the same return name and address from North Carolina. The investigation drew cooperation from the Hamilton County Heroin Task Force, U.S. Postal Service, and the FBI-led Southern Ohio Digital Organized Crime Group, which specializes in dark web investigations.

Agents subpoenaed a label reseller and obtained shipping data tied to the suspect packages, as well as more than 200 other labels used on parcels shipped from North Carolina in March.

#Dark Web Forum Exchange Reveals Knowledge of Danger

A review posted on the dark web forum Dread provides damning evidence that Green knowingly sold fentanyl-laced heroin and was aware of the lethal risks. A customer, posting under the username mvhope, detailed purchasing "NY street level heroin bags POTENT" from Starlabs and nearly dying after using an extremely small amount.

According to the review, the customer's bloodwork and urine screen tested positive for fentanyl and showed 0% opiates: meaning the product was not heroin at all. After taking a dose smaller than a thumbnail, the customer immediately lost consciousness, turned blue, and required four doses of Narcan from EMTs before being revived. The customer spent hours in the emergency room and discarded the remaining 4.5 bags from the purchase.

In his vendor response, Green acknowledged the dangers, stating: "this is street heroin...majority of people buying this product know what street Heroin is." Green also admitted: "we do not test for fentanyl or nitazenes...cannot guarantee that each batch is fentanyl or xylazine free." Green claimed to only test for xylazene and expressed relief the customer survived, saying he would "change the listing description entirely."

#Controlled Purchases and Lab Results

Federal court records describe several controlled purchases from "Starlabs" conducted by the FBI and DEA in New York and by the FBI in Cincinnati. Lab testing revealed:

• Fentanyl in purported oxycodone pills
• Fentanyl in "NY street level heroin"
• Methamphetamine and fentanyl in items from a package tied to an undercover buy
• Isotonitazene in other seized packages

The dark web forum exchange aligns perfectly with these federal lab results, demonstrating Green's direct knowledge of the lethal contents of his products.

#Evidence Connecting Green to "Starlabs"

Investigators connected Green to the operation through multiple methods:

• Shipping data analysis: Agents subpoenaed label resellers and obtained data tied to more than 200 packages shipped from North Carolina in March
• Cryptocurrency tracing: Financial records linking Green to "Starlabs" transactions
• Phone records and surveillance: GPS location data and observations near North Carolina post offices
• Prior law enforcement encounters: Green has four felony arrests, including previous drug convictions

#Criminal History and 2022 Search

A 2022 search at a New Jersey residence associated with Green uncovered drugs in distribution quantities following a report that his infant had ingested a baggie of heroin and overdosed. Officers seized:

• Counterfeit pills (oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall)
• Psilocybin mushrooms
• Ketamine powder
• LSD
• Heroin

This history established a pattern of drug manufacturing and distribution that would continue through the "Starlabs" operation years later.

#Search Warrants and Seized Evidence

Agents executing search warrants at Green's Jacksonville residence and a detached shed discovered a suspected drug manufacturing setup. The search recovered:

• Computer files and encryption keys allegedly linked to the "Starlabs" account
• Photos of a pill press
• Suspected narcotics and marijuana
• Additional packages seized in multiple states containing fentanyl and isotonitazene