Four men involved in running a UK-wide darknet drug operation under the name SocialPharma have received prison sentences totaling over 47 years. The operation, active since 2018, sold a variety of controlled substances, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals, across multiple dark web platforms and encrypted messaging channels. The case highlights the scale and organization of online pharmaceutical trafficking in the UK.
Operation Structure
SocialPharma was presented publicly as an online pharmacy but functioned as a multi-faceted supply network. Its offerings included counterfeit pharmaceutical tablets, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, and other controlled substances. Over time, the operation maintained a presence across numerous darknet marketplaces, adapting to closures and seizures by creating accounts under similar names or moving to new platforms. Marketplaces used by SocialPharma included Apollon, ASAP, Berlusconi, Bohemia, Cartel, Empire, Incognito, Nightmare, Torrez, White House Market, Versus, DarkMarket, Dark0de Reborn and Abacus.
In addition to operating on marketplaces, SocialPharma maintained a direct sales channel through a Televend shop and later focused on Telegram-based distribution within the Tesseract bot community. Products extended beyond classic narcotics to include benzodiazepines such as Pregabalin, Tramadol, and Diazepam, stimulants including amphetamines and MDMA, opiates such as codeine, oxycodone, and heroin, dissociatives like ketamine, as well as prescription drugs and cannabis-derived products. Across these channels, the operation received at least £4.3 million in Bitcoin, with evidence showing one individual had laundered $3 million through a personal account.
Roles of Defendants
Investigations established a clear division of responsibilities within SocialPharma. Osvaldas Novikovas, aged 32, acted as the main organizer, overseeing the entire operation and managing drug supply. Jordanas Avizienius, aged 27, functioned as the operational lead, handling sales, vendor accounts on dark web marketplaces, Telegram communications, and customer interactions. Marius Sutrinavicius, aged 44, managed the physical side of the operation, preparing and packaging drugs for shipment. Javed Afzal Khan, aged 55, supplied the pharmaceutical products that were later repackaged or counterfeited for distribution.
Investigation and Evidence
The investigation combined digital analysis, financial tracing, and examination of postal and device records. Cryptocurrency payments were traced from customers through SocialPharma wallets and into cash-out structures, establishing financial links across multiple platforms. The investigation also relied on intelligence from pharmaceutical regulators concerning the composition and risks of the drugs involved. Evidence confirmed that heroin circulating through SocialPharma contained traces of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid with extremely high potency, while counterfeit tablets had unknown and potentially dangerous compositions.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In July, Novikovas, Avizienius, and Sutrinavicius pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ketamine. Avizienius additionally admitted possession of criminal property. Khan initially pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class C drugs, then was convicted by a jury of further Class A and B offenses involving cocaine, ketamine, and heroin. On December 12, 2025, at Kingston Crown Court, the four defendants received the following sentences: Novikovas – 13 years and 6 months, Avizienius – 10 years and 6 months, Sutrinavicius – 8 years and 3 months, and Khan – 15 years.
Conclusion
The SocialPharma case illustrates the complexity and persistence of darknet-based drug distribution networks. By leveraging multiple marketplaces, encrypted communication platforms, and cryptocurrency payments, the organization sustained operations over several years. The sentencing of the four operators marks the end of this particular network’s activity, while highlighting the ongoing challenges and risks associated with the online supply of controlled and counterfeit substances.
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