LOS ANGELES – Federal authorities have arrested three men from Glendale and one from the San Fernando Valley, accusing them of running a drug distribution ring on the darknet. The Justice Department announced that the group allegedly sold cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), and ketamine through various online marketplaces.
These arrests, made on Wednesday, are part of the Justice Department’s ongoing JCODE (Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement) initiative, which targets illicit darknet drug vendors supplying dangerous substances nationwide.
A federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment on April 1, detailing 116 overt acts tied to the alleged conspiracy. Prosecutors claim the group operated around 10 vendor accounts across 17 darknet marketplaces. The indicted individuals include:
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Davit Avalyan, 35, of Glendale
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Hrant Gevorgyan, 35, of Glendale
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Hayk Grigoryan, 35, also known as “Hayk Greg,” of Glendale
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Gurgen Nersesyan, 43, also known as “Guro Tiko,” of Sherman Oaks
Each defendant faces one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA.
Additional charges include:
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Avalyan: Distribution of cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine
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Gevorgyan: Possession with intent to distribute MDMA and ketamine
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Grigoryan: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
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Nersesyan: Three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one for cocaine, and one for MDMA
All four men were arraigned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, pleaded not guilty, and are scheduled for trial on June 3.
From September 2018 to February 2025, the defendants allegedly operated vendor accounts under names like JoyInc, LaFarmacia, WhiteDoc, JanesAddiction, DaShop, WhiteRepublic, Tomorowland, PlanetHollywood, DopeValley, and Major2Minor. Authorities say these vendors accepted cryptocurrency in exchange for drugs, which were then shipped via the U.S. Postal Service to buyers across the country.
The group allegedly packaged and dropped off the parcels at mailboxes and post offices in and around Los Angeles County.
Among the vendors, JoyInc is believed to be one of the most active darknet sources for methamphetamine and cocaine since at least 2018.
A listing dated September 4, 2024, shows JoyInc selling ketamine, MDMA, and bulk cocaine options on the Drughub marketplace.
