Home / Crime and Justice / US & India Smash Online Drug Ring: 6 Overdose Deaths Linked
US & India Smash Online Drug Ring: 6 Overdose Deaths Linked
7 Feb
Summary
- US authorities dismantled an online drug ring linked to India.
- Operation Meltdown led to the seizure of 200 websites.
- The illicit operation is connected to six overdose deaths in the US.
US authorities, working closely with Indian law enforcement, have successfully dismantled a significant online drug-trafficking network. This major operation, known as "Operation Meltdown," targeted a transnational criminal organization based in India that was allegedly responsible for six overdose deaths within the United States. The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced the seizure of 200 websites that were designed to appear as legitimate pharmacies but were illegally dispensing controlled substances.
The DEA Administrator stated that foreign-based traffickers exploit the US healthcare system and use individuals within the United States to distribute dangerous drugs, often disguised as legitimate commerce. The investigation, initiated in 2022 by the DEA's Colorado field office, culminated in raids across the US on January 27, leading to four arrests. Thousands of customers were identified, and over 20,000 letters have been sent to the public seeking further information.
The seized "online pharmacies" featured professional designs and US website addresses to deceive consumers. The counterfeit medications dispensed frequently contained fentanyl or methamphetamine, posing serious health risks including potentially fatal outcomes. These operations illegally shipped diverted medications without valid prescriptions, violating the Controlled Substances Act and compromising a distribution system meant to ensure patient safety.
