FBI Informant Allegedly Helped Run Dark Web Drug Market Incognito

Incognito sold over $100 million in narcotics, including fentanyl-laced drugs linked to a fatal overdose.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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An FBI informant secretly helped run the Incognito dark web drug market for nearly two years, even approving the sale of fentanyl-laced opioids, according to court filings. The market sold over $100 million in illegal drugs, including some that led to a fatal overdose. The revelation came during the sentencing of Incognito administrator Lin Rui-Siang, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the FBI's role in monitoring and potentially enabling the sale of dangerous drugs on the dark web. While the FBI informant had the ability to remove vendors selling fentanyl, they allegedly approved the sale of some tainted products, which led to a fatal overdose. This highlights the complex ethical issues involved when law enforcement agencies use informants to infiltrate criminal enterprises.

The details

According to court filings, an unnamed FBI informant acted as a moderator on the Incognito dark web market, with the power to remove vendors selling fentanyl-laced drugs. However, the informant allegedly approved the sale of some products flagged as potentially tainted with fentanyl, including those linked to the overdose death of 27-year-old Reed Churchill. Lin Rui-Siang, a 25-year-old Taiwanese man, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role as an administrator of Incognito, which sold over $100 million in narcotics during its nearly four years of operation.

  • Incognito operated on the dark web for nearly four years before ceasing operations in 2024.
  • Lin Rui-Siang was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February 2026.

The players

Incognito

A dark web market that sold over $100 million in narcotics, including fentanyl-laced drugs.

Lin Rui-Siang

A 25-year-old Taiwanese man who was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role as an administrator of the Incognito dark web market.

FBI Informant

An unnamed individual who secretly helped run the Incognito dark web market while working as a confidential informant for the FBI.

Reed Churchill

A 27-year-old man who died from a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced drugs sold on the Incognito dark web market.

David Churchill

The father of Reed Churchill, who spoke at the sentencing hearing for Lin Rui-Siang.

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What they’re saying

“As you might imagine, it was the worst day of my life. We've been gutted by this, and we have to live with it every day.”

— David Churchill, Father of Reed Churchill (Manhattan courtroom)

“I want you to remember this face when you're sitting in a jail cell.”

— David Churchill, Father of Reed Churchill (Manhattan courtroom)

“The reality is that Mr. Lin ran this site in partnership with someone working at the behest of the government. The government had the ability to mitigate the harm—and didn't do it.”

— Noam Biale, Defense attorney for Lin Rui-Siang (Manhattan courtroom)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the FBI informant's identity to be revealed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex ethical issues involved when law enforcement uses informants to infiltrate criminal enterprises, as the FBI informant's actions may have contributed to the sale of dangerous, fentanyl-laced drugs that led to a fatal overdose.