An Indian national has been sentenced to five years in prison in the United States for his involvement in a dark web drug enterprise that spanned across multiple countries, including Canada. Banmeet Singh, hailing from Haldwani, India, was arrested in the United Kingdom in April 2019 and extradited to the U.S. last year. In January, Singh pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Court documents and statements reveal that Singh created online platforms for the sale of drugs such as fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, ketamine, and tramadol. Customers paid for these substances using cryptocurrencies, and the drugs were then delivered through mail services. Singh’s involvement in the enterprise reportedly lasted from mid-2012 to July 2017, with distribution points in the U.S. and shipments reaching countries like Canada, Jamaica, Ireland, and the U.K.
The drug organization led by Singh is said to have moved hundreds of kilograms of controlled substances and laundered millions of dollars in drug proceeds into cryptocurrency accounts, totaling approximately US$150 million. Along with the five-year prison sentence, Singh has been ordered to forfeit the same amount.
The investigation into Singh’s activities involved various law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, local police departments in Ohio, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. This case highlights the international reach of dark web drug operations and the collaborative efforts needed to combat such criminal activities.