Singh’s journey into the illicit drug trade came to a halt when he was apprehended in London in April 2019, following a request from US authorities
A 40-year-old Indian national, Banmeet Singh hailing from Haldwani, has been sentenced to five years in prison in the United States for his involvement in trafficking controlled substances via dark web platforms. Alongside the prison term, he has also been ordered to forfeit approximately $150 million.
Singh’s journey into the illicit drug trade came to a halt when he was apprehended in London in April 2019, following a request from US authorities. After a lengthy legal process, he was extradited to the US in March 2023. In January, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Court documents and testimonies unveiled Singh’s establishment of vendor marketing platforms on various dark web marketplaces, including Silk Road, Alpha Bay, and Hansa. Through these channels, he facilitated the sale of a variety of controlled substances, including fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, ketamine, and tramadol.
Singh’s sentencing underscores the global reach and complexities of dark web drug trafficking networks, highlighting the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement agencies in combating such illicit activities
Singh’s modus operandi involved customers using cryptocurrency to procure drugs from him through the vendor sites he operated. He either personally shipped the narcotics from Europe to the United States or arranged for their shipment through US mail or other delivery services.
Between 2012 and July 2017, Singh oversaw at least eight distribution cells across the US, spanning states such as Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, and Washington. These cells were responsible for receiving drug shipments, repackaging them, and redistributing them to destinations across all 50 states, as well as to countries including Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland, and the US Virgin Islands.
The Department of Justice revealed that Singh’s drug organization moved hundreds of kilograms of controlled substances throughout the United States, establishing a multimillion-dollar drug enterprise. The enterprise laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds into cryptocurrency accounts, amassing a total worth of approximately $150 million.
Singh’s sentencing underscores the global reach and complexities of dark web drug trafficking networks, highlighting the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement agencies in combating such illicit activities.
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