Encrypted Phone CEO Imprisoned, Owes $80 Million in Drug Scheme

The chief executive officer of a Canadian communications company was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for providing drug traffickers with secure services and devices aimed at avoiding law enforcement detection.

Vincent Ramos, the CEO of Phantom Secure, was also ordered to give up $80 million in illicit proceeds, as well as real estate, cryptocurrency accounts, and gold coins. This represents the first time the U.S. has successfully secured a conviction against a top corporate executive for providing encrypted infrastructure for criminals, according to prosecutors for the Southern District of California.

“Vincent Ramos is going to prison because he ...