Glendale Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Darknet Drug Trafficking Operation

A Glendale man has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for his involvement in a sophisticated darknet drug trafficking operation that distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and ketamine to customers nationwide.

36-year-old Davit Avalyan received a 57-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson in Los Angeles after pleading guilty in October 2025 to one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Avalyan represents the final defendant to be sentenced in this case, following his three co-conspirators who received prison terms ranging from 24 months to 10 years.

Operation Details and Scale

The drug trafficking network operated from September 2018 to February 2025, maintaining an extensive presence across multiple darknet marketplaces. According to court documents, the group managed numerous vendor accounts with storefront names including JoyInc, PlanetHollywood, LaFarmacia, and others.

Prosecutors revealed that JoyInc alone is considered among the most prolific methamphetamine and cocaine distributors ever to operate on the darknet, with operations believed to have launched as early as 2018. The network utilized various darknet marketplaces including Dream Market, Wallstreet, Empire, Silk Road 3.1, ToRReZ, Dark0de, World Market, Tor2Door, alphabay, Incognito, ASAP, Ares, MGM Grand, Archetyp, Abacus, DrugHub, and DarkMatter.

The group's distribution method involved packaging drugs into parcels and mailing them from post offices and mailboxes throughout Los Angeles County and other locations across the United States. They accepted cryptocurrency payments, primarily Bitcoin and Monero, for their illegal narcotics sales.

Co-Conspirators and Sentences

Avalyan's accomplices have already received their sentences:

• Hayk Grigoryan (also known as Hayk Greg): 10 years
• Gurgen Nersesyan (also known as Guro Tiko): 43 months
• Hrant Gevorgyan: 24 months

Law Enforcement Investigation

The FBI's JCODE (Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement) team led the investigation, working in coordination with multiple federal and local agencies. The task force included support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Los Angeles Police Department.

This case represents part of a broader crackdown on darknet drug marketplaces. Earlier this month, a Taiwanese man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for operating Incognito Market, a massive online narcotics marketplace linked to over $105 million in illegal drug sales. In January, a Slovakian national pleaded guilty to helping operate a darknet marketplace that sold narcotics, cybercrime services, fake government IDs, and stolen personal information for more than two years.

Darknet Drug Market Landscape

The sentencing highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating darknet drug trafficking. These online marketplaces continue to evolve, with vendors employing sophisticated methods to distribute illegal substances while maintaining anonymity through cryptocurrency transactions and encrypted communications.

Recent cases demonstrate the significant scale of these operations. A Virginia man who co-created the Empire Market dark web marketplace admitted to federal drug conspiracy charges for facilitating $430 million in illegal transactions. These marketplaces not only distribute narcotics but often serve as hubs for various illegal activities including cybercrime services and identity theft.

Impact on Darknet Drug Trade

While law enforcement continues to make progress in dismantling these networks, the persistence and adaptability of darknet drug markets remain concerning. The use of cryptocurrency, encrypted communications, and the global nature of these operations create significant challenges for authorities attempting to track and prosecute offenders.

The Glendale case serves as a reminder that despite the perceived anonymity of the darknet, law enforcement agencies have developed sophisticated capabilities to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The coordinated efforts of multiple agencies and the successful prosecution of all four defendants in this case demonstrate the effectiveness of these investigative approaches.

Expert Commentary

Cybersecurity experts note that while individual marketplaces may be taken down, the underlying infrastructure and demand for darknet drug services continue to drive new operations. The use of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero, combined with advanced encryption and anonymization techniques, makes these investigations increasingly complex.

However, the success in prosecuting cases like this one provides evidence that law enforcement is adapting to these challenges. The combination of traditional investigative techniques with advanced digital forensics and international cooperation has proven effective in bringing darknet drug traffickers to justice.

The Glendale case represents another victory in the ongoing battle against online drug trafficking, though experts caution that the fight is far from over as new marketplaces and distribution methods continue to emerge in the digital underground.