Columbus, OH — An Indian national pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to running a dark web narcotics conspiracy that moved hundreds of kilograms and tens of thousands of pills of controlled substances throughout the United States, establishing a multi-million-dollar drug enterprise. The case involves the largest single cryptocurrency and cash seizure in DEA history, with the defendant forfeiting cryptocurrency accounts ultimately valued at $150 million.
Banmeet Singh of Haldwani, India, admitted guilt to conspiracy charges related to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute and to commit money laundering.
Court documents reveal that Singh operated vendor marketing sites on dark web marketplaces like Silk Road 1, Silk Road 2, Alpha Bay, Hansa, and others, selling controlled substances such as fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine, and Tramadol.
Customers purchased these substances from Singh using cryptocurrency, with Singh arranging or personally handling shipments from Europe to the United States via mail or other services.
From at least mid-2012 through July 2017, Singh controlled eight distribution cells within the U.S., including one in Columbus. Other cells were located in Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, with shipments reaching destinations across all 50 states, Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Singh’s arrest in London in April 2019 led to his extradition to the U.S. in 2023. He is one of eight defendants connected to this drug trafficking organization who have been convicted of drug trafficking charges nationwide.
“In the Singh organization’s drug orders, the members frequently used the vendor name ‘Liston’ and signed off with the signature phrase, ‘I’m still dancing.’ Today, with Banmeet Singh’s plea of guilty, the dance is over,” stated U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri emphasized, “Today’s guilty plea, which includes forfeiture of approximately $150 million in cryptocurrency, demonstrates that the Justice Department will hold criminals who violate U.S. law accountable no matter how they conceal their activity.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene designated Singh as a Consolidated Priority Target, underscoring his significant role in drug trafficking. “His criminal enterprise has caused untold suffering to perhaps tens of thousands of people throughout the country,” said Greene.
Officials from various law enforcement agencies, including the IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and local law enforcement, collaborated on the case.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Central Authority (UKCA) provided substantial assistance, along with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs in securing Singh’s arrest and extradition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Hunter and Trial Attorney Emily Cohen are prosecuting the case, part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
This prosecution exemplifies the commitment to dismantle high-level drug traffickers and criminal networks, leveraging federal, state, and local law enforcement resources.
IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) is responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, with a focus on tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and more.
The agency, with a federal conviction rate exceeding 90%, operates 20 field offices across the U.S. and 12 attaché posts abroad, ensuring a robust response to financial crimes.
Maria Ghanchi