United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BRUNSWICK, GA: British national facing a possible life sentence following his jury trial conviction in the Southern District of Georgia for conspiring to distribute and import fentanyl analogues and other novel controlled substances on a dark web platform called “Dream Market.” The importation and distribution of these substances led to the death of two members of the United States Navy.

Paul Anthony Nicholls, 47, of Great Britain, was convicted of one count of Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances Resulting in Death and one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Resulting in Death following a 4-day jury trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. When a sentence is imposed by the Honorable Lisa Godbey Wood, United States District Judge, Defendant Nicholls faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years imprisonment, with a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, as well as significant monetary penalties. There is no parole in the federal system.

“This conviction was achieved through the hard work and cooperation of our law enforcement officers and Canadian law enforcement. Two of our navy sailors died because of Nicholl’s distribution of lethal drugs. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who harm people in our communities.” said U.S. Attorney Meg Heap.

As described in court documents and testimony, Defendant Nicholls conspired with at least one other person to run a drug trafficking organization titled “Canada1” on the now-defunct dark web marketplace “Dream Market.” “Canada1” advertised various controlled substances for sale on “Dream Market” including the synthetic opioid U-47700 and the fentanyl analogue Methoxy acetyl fentanyl. “Canada1” advertised that they would ship these substances anywhere in the world from their basis of operation in Vancouver, British Columbia. Investigators, utilizing surveillance and other investigative methods, identified Defendant Nicholls as routinely interacting with his conspirator and taking numerous packages bearing the logo for a shell company named “East Van ECO Tours” to be sent out via Canada Post, the Canadian mail system. Following weeks of surveillance, investigators intercepted over 40 packages bearing the “East Van ECO Tours” markings and found them all to contain dangerous fentanyl analogues in both nasal spray and powder form.

After confirming the “East Van ECO Tours” packages contained controlled substances, investigators executed search warrants at Defendant Nicholls’ home, Defendant Nicholls’ car, and the car and home of Defendant Nicholls’ conspirator. Expert witness testimony at trial valued the fentanyl analogues recovered from Defendant Nicholls’ conspirator’s home at $24,000,000 and indicated that there were enough substances present to kill 375,000 people.

Also located in the home were receipts bearing tracking numbers for thousands of packages sent out by the conspirators to addresses all over the world. Among those receipts, were tracking numbers for two packages that traveled to Kingsland, Georgia in October 2017. Following delivery of those packages, United States Navy submariners B.T.J. and T.L.B. consumed the contents of the packages and each died of opioid overdoses at T.L.B.’s home approximately 4 days apart in October 2017.

"This conviction reflects the FDA’s commitment to holding accountable those who peddle illicit narcotics, including fentanyl and its analogues, to Americans,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Juan Berrios, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Miami Field Office. "No matter where in the world these individuals operate, the FDA will work with our law enforcement partners to find them and bring them to justice.”

“The overdose deaths associated with this investigation are a tragic reminder of the dangers of illegal narcotics being shipped by transnational criminal organizations,” said Bladismir Rojo, Inspector in Charge, Miami Division. “The United States Postal Inspection Service remains committed to work with our state, local and international partners in the pursuit of those who traffic in poison.”

“Those who disregard the highly toxic nature of fentanyl by heartlessly distributing it for personal gain must be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Norman Dominesey of the NCIS Southeast Field Office. “NCIS and our partners are committed to aggressively investigating any individual or entity complicit in illicit distribution of substances that would threaten national security, undermine warfighter readiness, and endanger Department of the Navy communities.”

 “Drug traffickers who operate on the dark web often believe their crimes are detached from real-world consequences. This conviction proves that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The defendant’s role in this international conspiracy contributed to the deaths of two Navy submariners, an outcome that underscores the deadly reach of these criminal networks. DEA will continue working with our state and local partners in pursuing those who endanger lives for profit.”

 “This conviction sends a clear message that those who use the dark web to traffic deadly drugs will be held accountable, no matter where they operate,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The deaths of these two U.S. Navy submariners in this case is a tragic reminder of the dangers of synthetic opioids and fentanyl. Through coordinated international and federal partnerships, we will continue to pursue those who profit from poisoning our communities and bring them to justice.

 “Our department remains committed to strong partnerships with our community and our local, state, and federal agency partners,” said Chief of Police Rick M. Evans. “By working together, we are better equipped to target those who distribute and possess illegal drugs, reduce crime, and enhance the safety and quality of life for our residents. Collaboration is key to protecting our community and keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

 Defendant Nicholls’ conspirator, not named herein, has not been tried on his indictment. Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Post, the Canadian Border Services Agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Kingsland (GA) Police Department, and the Surrey (Canada) Police Department. Additionally, Health Canada and the Pasco County (FL) Sheriff’s Office provided logistical and trial support. The case was prosecuted for the United States of America by Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Timothy P. Dean and former Assistant United States Attorneys Frank M. Pennington, II and E. Greg Gilluly, Junior.

For any questions, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.