"Absolutely, he's a kingpin."
An Indian man named Banmeet Singh has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offences in Ohio, USA.
The charges linked him to the operation of an extensive global network on the dark web.
Singh was extradited from the UK to the United States in 2023.
He used the dark web to sell controlled substances including fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine, and Tramadol.
He has agreed to forfeit a total of $150 million (£118 million) in cryptocurrency.
This sum is allegedly the “largest single cryptocurrency financial seizure” in the history of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Those who bought the illegal substances were said to have made their purchases via cryptocurrency.
Singh oversaw the shipment of the substances through various companies.
The Indian man apparently controlled at least eight distribution cells from 2012 to July 2017.
Nicole M Argentieri, the acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, explained the impact of Singh’s guilty plea.
She said: “Today’s guilty plea, which includes forfeiture of approximately $150 million in cryptocurrency, shows that the Justice Department will hold criminals who violate the US law accountable no matter how they conceal their activity.
“Together with our international partners, we will continue to find criminals lurking in the darkness and bring their crimes to light.”
Kenneth L Parker, Attorney of Ohio’s Southern District, expressed that the cells that Singh controlled did not just package and redistribute the substances to 50 states across America.
These substances were also shipped to several other locations including Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland and the US Virgin Islands.
Mr Parker added: “Today, with Banmeet Singh’s plea of guilty, the dance is over.
“He started on the clear web before moving his operations to the dark web.”
Drug Enforcement official Anne Milgram said:
“DEA is proud to have worked with its law enforcement partners in the United States and the United Kingdom to dismantle this enterprise, protect the American people, and bring Singh to justice.”
Chief Deputy Rick Minerd declared:
“Appropriate to call this guy a kingpin? Absolutely, he’s a kingpin. He’s shipping kilo level.
“Who knows how many lives have been shattered by this?”
After years of illegal activity, Singh was arrested in the UK in April 2019 – four years before he was ultimately extradited to the US.
Upon his arrival in America, Singh Singh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possession, distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Investigators in this case include the DEA and police departments in Ohio.
They are being assisted by the National Crime Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service and the UK Central Authority.
The 40-year-old Indian man faces eight years in prison. The sentencing date is yet to be decided.
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