Three Indian-origin men, including a father-son duo, have been sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison for running a large-scale illegal drug operation on the dark web in west London. Allen Valentine, 63, his son Roshan Valentine, 39, and their childhood friend Krunal Patel, 40, received their sentences at Isleworth Crown Court.
The Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Crime Unit led the investigation, which was initiated based on intelligence from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding the online sale of pharmaceutical drugs.
The trio produced and sold counterfeit Benzodiazepines, a Class C drug, generating at least £3.5 million (around 36 crores INR) in illicit profits. They operated under the guise of a company called Puzzle Logistics Limited, using a warehouse at Acton Business Park to manufacture, package, and distribute the drugs.
Dark web markets advertised their products, including Xanax and Diazepam, which were paid for in cryptocurrency and then shipped to customers.
Detectives expertly employed cyber tactics to link the Valentines and Patel to the illegal drug production and distribution. The investigation led to the freezing of accounts containing £3.5 million in cryptocurrency.
Krunal Patel was arrested with 15 parcels labeled for distribution across the UK containing counterfeit tablets imprinted with brand names like “Xanax” and “Teva.” Roshan and Allen Valentine were arrested later.
A concealed laboratory, extensive equipment, chemical substances, and crates of counterfeit pills were discovered in the warehouse. Allen Valentine claimed to be a doctor with pharmacy qualifications, an assertion currently under investigation.
