Combining Digital Footprint Data and Public Records

This technical report discusses the fentanyl crisis and the complexities involved in its production and distribution. It outlines how investigators can utilize digital footprints and public records to uncover illicit supply chains. The report details the collaboration between Fivecast and Sayari in analyzing a Chinese company, CapsulCN, which was indicted for illegally importing fentanyl pill-making equipment into the U.S. The analysis highlights the use of AI-enabled platforms to monitor online content and detect threats. It describes the challenges in identifying key actors due to obfuscation tactics used by illicit networks. The report also explains how investigators mapped relationships between various online accounts and identified corporate structures through trade data and corporate records. This case study serves as an example of how data from these platforms can enhance investigations into fentanyl supply chains, revealing connections between entities and their operations across multiple jurisdictions.