A 37-year-old man from Quebec, Arden McCann, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in the United States for his involvement in a major international drug trafficking operation that has been identified as importing millions of counterfeit Xanax pills into the country. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that McCann was recognized as “one of the largest drug vendors” operating on the dark web, a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specialized software to access.
McCann was extradited from Canada to the United States in June 2022, where he faced trial for his significant role in this international drug trafficking ring. His criminal activities date back to 2015 when he was initially arrested in Laval, Quebec, for selling counterfeit Xanax pills. During that arrest, law enforcement seized an astounding number of counterfeit pills, approximately $200,000 in cash, 15 firearms, and alprazolam powder, the active ingredient in Xanax, which is classified as a benzodiazepine.
Despite facing arrest in 2015, authorities assert that McCann continued his operations on the dark web, expanding his portfolio to include the sale of narcotics such as fentanyl analogs. This led to his subsequent arrest by Canadian police in February 2020. His ongoing criminal activities indicated a blatant disregard for the law and the serious consequences that followed earlier legal interventions.
In September, McCann pleaded guilty to charges of drug importation and money laundering. His guilty plea was a significant step in the legal process that led to his sentencing by a judge in Georgia. The DEA’s announcement of McCann’s punishment underscores the seriousness with which U.S. authorities are addressing drug trafficking, especially as it pertains to synthetic opioids and counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
McCann's sentence of 30 years will be followed by 10 years of supervised release, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the broad impact his actions had on public health and safety. Additionally, McCann has been issued a $1 million dollar fine, further emphasizing the substantial financial penalties associated with such serious drug offenses.
This case highlights ongoing issues related to drug trafficking and the use of the dark web for illegal activities. It serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the distribution of counterfeit drugs and narcotics that pose significant risks to individuals and communities across North America.
