Canadian National Charged with Distribution and Importation of Fentanyl

NEWARK, N.J. – A Canadian national was charged today with distribution and importation of fentanyl to the United States, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Michael C. Wozney, 38, of Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada is charged by a 14-count indictment with seven counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and seven counts of importation of a controlled substance into the United States.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From June 2019 through September 2020, Wozney was a vendor of fentanyl on the dark net – a part of the internet not accessible by most internet browsers and designed to allow users to conduct transactions anonymously. Wozney sold fentanyl on multiple dark net marketplaces, including Empire Market, where Wozney completed hundreds of transactions. Wozney shipped fentanyl to individuals in the United States, including individuals in New Jersey.

Wozney advertised the sale of numerous fentanyl products, including substances that he described as “close to pure” and “DANGEROUS LEVEL.” Wozney shipped his customers’ fentanyl orders in a manner that was designed to evade detection and seizure by border officials and other law enforcement authorities. In instances where law enforcement officials seized shipments, Wozney reshipped those orders and alerted customers that he was modifying his mailing practices to evade detection.

Each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielson, Philadelphia Division, and FBI- Pittsburgh Division, under Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Shanahan for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vinay S. Limbachia of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.