Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for establishing and running Nemesis Market, a dark web platform for illegal drug sales and criminal cyber-services. Parsarad, aged 36 and residing in Tehran, is accused of launching this marketplace in March 2021. The site reportedly amassed over 150,000 users with more than 1,100 vendor accounts globally. From 2021 to 2024, Nemesis Market allegedly processed over 400,000 transactions, with more than 55,000 involving stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine, and around 17,000 orders involving opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Laboratory analysis confirmed some transactions included fentanyl and other controlled substances.
“The allegations in this indictment span over four hundred thousand transactions involving fentanyl, other dangerous drugs, and a wide range of contraband made accessible on the darknet for more than three years,” stated Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. He highlighted international cooperation that led to charging the alleged administrator and seizing servers.
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik of the Northern District of Ohio emphasized the consequences for those profiting from illegal drugs, stating, “Anyone who tries to profit from the sale of illegal drugs - whether it’s on the streets or online – will face consequences.”
Charles Johnston, FBI Cleveland Acting Special Agent in Charge, underlined the international collaboration's significance, noting, “This indictment, made possible by the assistance of our German and Lithuanian allies, underscores the importance of global partnerships and international collaboration.”
Parsarad faces charges in the Northern District of Ohio for conspiracy to distribute and distributing controlled substances, in addition to money laundering. The charges extend to using proceeds to facilitate drug trade and providing money laundering services via cryptocurrency transactions. In cooperation with German and Lithuanian authorities, U.S. law enforcement seized Nemesis Market on March 20, 2024. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Parsarad, indicating approximately $30 million in drug sales were facilitated by Nemesis Market between 2021 and 2024. If convicted, Parsarad may face between 10 years to life imprisonment.
The investigation involved the FBI Cleveland Division, DEA, IRS-CI, and input from international bodies. Gaelin Bernstein and Assistant U.S. Attorney Segev Phillips are handling the prosecution, supported by U.S. Attorneys' offices in Illinois and Massachusetts. The case emerged from an FBI-led Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement operation, with cooperative efforts from various domestic and international law enforcement agencies.
An indictment serves as an official charge and the accused is deemed innocent until proven guilty in court.