A Quebec man who imported millions of fake anti-anxiety pills from China to the United States via the dark web has been sentenced to 30 years in a U.S. prison.
Arden McCann, 37, was convicted after he was caught distributing counterfeit Xanax pills—commonly used to treat anxiety disorders—across 49 U.S. states, according to a Jan. 23 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
McCann was described as one of the largest drug vendors on the dark web, generating over $10 million in revenue between 2015 and 2020 from the sale of counterfeit drugs, the release said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. noted that McCann’s international narcotics distribution ring on the dark web “has been dismantled.” “Counterfeit pill production and distribution continues to pose a grave threat to public safety, especially when trafficked anonymously using dark web marketplaces,” he said in the release.
McCann’s illicit drug trade began to unravel in October 2015, when he was arrested by Laval Police in Quebec after being identified as a dark web drug dealer under the alias “DRXanax,” according to the release. As part of the investigation, Canadian authorities seized about 2 million counterfeit Xanax pills, five pill presses, alprazolam powder, and drug ledgers.
The drug ledgers showed that McCann was importing alprazolam—a potent tranquilizer sold under the brand name Xanax—from China, pressing it into counterfeit pills, and distributing them across the United States, the release said.
Related Stories
Despite his arrest, McCann continued to operate on the dark web, selling narcotics—including fentanyl analogues. A subsequent U.S. investigation found that from at least November 2015 to February 2020, McCann operated several vendor pages on over 10 dark web marketplaces and used various monikers.
McCann was arrested by Canadian authorities on Feb. 26, 2020, on charges from the Northern District of Georgia and extradited to the United States on June 9, 2022. He pleaded guilty to drug importation and money laundering conspiracies in September 2023, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Additionally, McCann was fined $1 million and will face 10 years of supervised release following his prison term, according to the release.
RCMP Supt. Marie Eve Lavallée highlighted in the press release that fentanyl and illicit opioids remain a top priority for Canadian law enforcement. “We remain committed to collaborating with our international law enforcement partners to actively pursue the criminal networks that are fuelling this public health epidemic,” Lavallée said.
The announcement of McCann’s sentence comes amid increased pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Canada to strengthen border security against the illicit drug trade. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, likely starting Feb. 1, as part of this pressure.
In response, Ottawa has announced a $1.3 billion investment in the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, and intelligence bodies to bolster border security. The funding will enhance illicit drug detection and interception efforts, including deploying new canine teams, launching a Chemical Precursor Risk Management Unit, and expanding law enforcement powers under the Controlled Drugs Act.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
