UK Duo Imprisoned for Roles in a Dark Web Drug Trafficking Operation

A UK court sentenced two men to prison for their roles in a global dark web drug trafficking operation that distributed large quantities of MDMA.

Robbie Lee Arnold and Daniel William Daymond

The Newcastle Crown Court concluded that Daniel William Daymond, 32, and Robbie Lee Arnold, 26, stored and mailed drugs for a multi-million drug trafficking operation that imported and distributed kilos of MDMA, amphetamine, and Xanax globally through the dark web.
In the course of the duo's sentencing hearing, the court was told that the drug trafficking operation was headed by 27-year-old Mubinar Rahman. Investigations by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in cooperation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed that Rahman purchased the drugs through the dark web and had them shipped to various addresses including Daymond's and Arnold's residences.
Rahman would then resell the drugs via an undisclosed vendor profile on dark web marketplaces. The investigators intercepted 39 packages mailed by the defendants between 29 June and July 2020.

Mubinar Rahman

The investigators arrested Rahman in July 2020. Messages acquired following the takedown of EncroChat led to the identification and arrest of Daymond and Arnold in April 2021.
Investigations into the drug trafficking operation led to the seizure of a total of 90 kilograms of MDMA, 134 kilograms of amphetamine, and more than 6,000 Xanax and Valium tabs. The investigators believe the drugs were worth more than £4.3 million.
Dymond and Arnold pleaded guilty to importing and exporting MDMA. They also admitted to being involved in the distribution of class A, B, and C drugs.
The defense attorneys told the court that Daymond worked as a taxi driver during the pandemic and got involved in the operation due to financial difficulties. Arnold had a drug use problem that led to him being indebted to Rahman. He was forced to work for Rahman to clear the debt.
Judge Timothy Gittins presided over the sentencing hearing and sentenced Daymond to six years in prison. He sentenced Arnold to five years and four months in prison.

Quote:Judge Gittins
You fall to be sentenced for your part in a substantial, professional operation to supply class A, B, and C drugs across the country and, indeed, the wider world. Your roles were storage and postmen, roles that were vital but which put you at the greatest risk of discovery for potentially the least reward.

Rahman pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply in October 2020. He was sentenced to nine years in prison in March 2022.
The investigators are still looking for two other men suspected of being members of the dark web drug trafficking ring.