Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Arden McCann has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his involvement in an international narcotics distribution operation via the dark web. The operation involved importing and selling millions of counterfeit Xanax pills to customers across the United States.
"Counterfeit pill production and distribution continues to pose a grave threat to public safety, especially when trafficked anonymously using dark web marketplaces," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. He credited state, federal, and foreign law enforcement partners for dismantling McCann's illegal drug operation.
Jae Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, remarked on McCann's prioritization of profits over public health and safety. "DEA will continue to make sure those who hide behind a keyboard and use the dark web to profit off lives are held accountable."
The sentencing comes amid a severe overdose epidemic involving synthetic opioids disguised as prescription medication. Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, emphasized that the FBI is committed to holding criminals accountable for selling counterfeit drugs.
Steven N. Schrank from HSI Atlanta reiterated the message against drug trafficking: "We remain committed to holding those accountable who distribute this poison and threaten public safety." His office will continue efforts with law enforcement partners to disrupt dangerous networks.
Jason Krizmanich from the Postal Inspection Service highlighted the significant coordination required among various agencies to interrupt this drug distribution network. Superintendent Marie Eve Lavallée from RCMP also noted their commitment alongside international partners against illicit opioids.
McCann was initially arrested by Laval Police in Quebec in October 2015 after being identified as "DRXanax" on the dark web. Canadian authorities seized substantial quantities of drugs and related paraphernalia during their investigation. Despite his arrest, McCann continued operations until February 2020 across multiple dark web marketplaces.
He was apprehended again by Canadian authorities on February 26, 2020, extradited to the U.S., and sentenced by U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee following his guilty plea on September 23, 2023.
The case was investigated by several U.S agencies with assistance from RCMP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brock Brockington along with other former assistant attorneys.
This effort forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies.
