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A criminal group operating as the fake online pharmacy “SocialPharma” sold heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills on the dark web and Telegram.
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The UK-based operation generated at least £4.3 million (approx. $5.5 million USD) in Bitcoin from its illicit sales since launching in 2018.
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Four guys behind the illegal online pharmacy are going to prison for a long time – a total of 47 years. Their sentences go from 8 to 15 years each.
The cyber team of the UK policy body SEROCU just concluded an operation that led to shutting down a huge dark web drug ring. The illegal drug business was run by four people who were using a fake online pharmacy.
The gang has received lengthy prison sentences for raking in millions selling dangerous counterfeit pills and illegal drugs. This case highlights the increased use of popular apps and dark websites to hide their tracks.
Details of the Illicit Drug Operation and Its Downfall
The drug business started in 2018 and operated under the name “SocialPharma.” These guys masqueraded as an online pharmacy, but were secretly pushing hard drugs, heroin, meth, cocaine, ketamine, and fake pharma pills. The sellers made the bogus pills from unknown substances that could be deadly.
The group cleverly used multiple platforms to reach customers. They sold drugs through established dark web marketplaces and Telegram groups. Using multiple channels to do business enabled them to build a very large customer base.
According to the UK Police, the drug ring made at least £4.3 million in Bitcoin. Investigators discovered that one member laundered about £2.5 million through their personal bank account.
Who Was Involved and Their Sentences
The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit identified four key members — each of them had a role assigned in the illegal operation.
Osvaldas Novikovas, the 32-year-old leader, got 13 and a half years in the slammer for running the show. Jordanas Avizienius, 27 years old, was serving as Osvaldas’ right-hand man. He managed sales and dark web channels and will be spending 10 years and 6 months in prison.
44-year-old Marius Sutrinavicius was in charge of storing the products – they prepared and mailed the drugs from this location. He received an 8-year 3-month sentence.
Javed Afzal Khan, 55 years old, was responsible for getting them all the pharmaceuticals required for their businesses; Javed received the longest sentence of 15 years.
A Wider Problem: Crime on Encrypted Apps
The SocialPharma case is not an isolated incident. Law enforcement worldwide is struggling with crime on encrypted platforms. Experts describe Telegram, in particular, as ‘the darknet in your pocket,’ where dedicated dark web Telegram channels and chat groups facilitate anonymous trade.
A BBC journalist researching this issue was added to 82 illegal Telegram groups without consent. These groups so brazenly peddled drugs, hacking kits, and stolen credit cards like it was a weekend yard sale. The threat extends far beyond narcotics, with UK authorities also actively targeting child exploitation rings using encrypted dark web platforms. According to cybersecurity researchers, for a bunch of small-time crooks, Telegram’s basically turned into the hottest hangout spot online.
Authorities recently arrested the app’s founder in France. He faces charges of complicity in allowing illicit transactions to flourish on his platform. French authorities cited an “almost total lack of response from Telegram to legal requests”.
The Continuous Crackdown on Dark Web Drug Trafficking
The police and other authorities have been doing their best to shut down illegal drug businesses like SocialPharma hiding on the dark web, but the fight is far from over. Shut down one, and those patronizing move to another place.
Earlier in June, European authorities went after a notorious drug market operating on the dark web called “Archetyp.” It boasted up to 500,000 active users, with 17,000 drugs listed on it. But shortly after authorities shut it down, the sellers quickly moved to forums and other markets.
This shows how annoying it is for law enforcement. As one security analysis noted, “Platform shutdowns can disrupt logistics, lead to arrest and seize goods, but they do not break apart the dark web’s recovery architecture”. The system quickly reassembles itself after a disruption.
The sentencing of the SocialPharma members represents a significant victory for cybercrime units. Despite the disruption, their base infrastructure and drug demand remain mostly intact. So, the online drug market is just adapting and seeking ways to reach customers right now.
