Pakistani duo, Hong Kong resident charged in US drug case

Washington, May 14 Two Pakistani nationals and a Hong Kong resident of Indian origin have been charged in the United States in connection with an alleged dark web narcotics trafficking operation that shipped counterfeit pills and controlled substances into New Jersey and other parts of the country, according to federal prosecutors in New Jersey.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed this week charged Waleed Shamim, 33, Sameer Shamim, 41, and Shareef Beig, 52, with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to import controlled substances. Prosecutors alleged the accused used dark web marketplaces, encrypted messaging services and international shipping channels to move narcotics into the United States.

According to the indictment, Beig is “a national of India residing in Hong Kong”, while Waleed Shamim and Sameer Shamim are citizens of Pakistan.

“As alleged, these defendants used dark web marketplaces and international shipping networks to move narcotics and counterfeit pills into the United States and target customers in New Jersey,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.

“Individuals who believe they can hide behind online aliases while trafficking dangerous drugs across international borders are mistaken; this Office and our law enforcement partners will identify them, disrupt their operations, and hold them accountable,” he added.

Federal investigators alleged that between November 2021 and June 2022, Waleed Shamim and Sameer Shamim operated vendor accounts on illicit dark web marketplaces under the names “Horsemen” and “Horsemen1”.

The indictment alleged the pair recruited individuals in the United States to act as “re-shippers” who would receive narcotics shipments and distribute them locally.

The indictment included a dark web advertisement allegedly posted by the group on February 22, 2022.

“Hi, we are Horsemen, your Adderall plug since Silk Road. After years of services on DNM [darknet marketplace] with more than a hundred thousand orders in transactions, our team had finally decided to step up the game with more products, and we are looking for an experienced drop shipper to receive the product and distribute it locally in the US,” the post said.

Authorities alleged the accused coordinated shipments of narcotics in pill form from Hong Kong and other international locations to re-shippers in the United States.

The indictment said investigators traced shipments that included about 556.78 grams of counterfeit Adderall pills containing amphetamine and multiple consignments of isotonitazene pills sent from Hong Kong to New Jersey.

Court filings alleged that approximately 495, 1,500 and 877 isotonitazene pills were shipped in separate consignments to New Jersey.

Investigators also alleged that Beig maintained tracking information for shipments sent from Hong Kong to New Jersey, including one shipment involving 877 isotonitazene pills.

“The indictments of these foreign nationals highlight the grave dangers posed by transnational organisations who aim to distribute and import controlled substances into the United States,” said Michael S. McCarthy, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark.

Postal Inspection Service official Christopher A. Nielsen said investigators would continue targeting dark web marketplaces suspected of selling illegal pills through the U.S. mail system.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. Prosecutors noted that the allegations in the indictment are accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations in Newark and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Philadelphia Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin, chief of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

Dark web marketplaces have increasingly become a focus of U.S. law enforcement agencies as criminal groups use encrypted platforms, cryptocurrency payments and international shipping networks to move narcotics across borders. American authorities have repeatedly warned about the growing spread of synthetic opioids and counterfeit prescription pills sold online.

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