A British Breaking Bad fan, Paul Nicholls, is facing extradition to the US after being accused of trafficking £15 million worth of fentanyl, resulting in the deaths of two US Navy submariners. Nicholls, a 46-year-old self-published author, is alleged to have smuggled the potent drug into the US through the dark web. The fentanyl in question, known to be 50 times more potent than heroin, is said to have led to the fatalities of Brian Jarrell and Ty Bell, two US mariners, who were reportedly customers of Nicholls.
US authorities claim that Nicholls operated a global fentanyl smuggling operation in collaboration with 62-year-old Thomas Federuik between April 2017 and February 2018. Despite his denial of the charges, Nicholls’ appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to halt his extradition was unsuccessful. Consequently, the National Crime Agency is now facilitating his transfer to the US to face charges of conspiracy to import and distribute controlled substances, as well as money laundering.
Nicholls, originally from Stoke-on-Trent but residing in Canada at the time, has authored several books under the pseudonym Nico Laeser, exploring themes of drug addiction. Notably, his work includes a portrayal of Walter White, the central character in the renowned series Breaking Bad, who transitions from a chemistry teacher to a major methamphetamine producer.
The tragic deaths of Jarrell and Bell at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia were confirmed by US Navy officials to be the result of fentanyl overdoses. Prosecutors assert that the packages received by the victims from the dark web can be traced back to Nicholls and Federuik. Investigations revealed that the duo had shipped parcels containing the illicit substance, with postal packaging and labels leading authorities to their doorstep.
During a raid by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in February 2018, properties linked to Nicholls and Federuik yielded evidence of fentanyl valued at £15 million, sufficient to cause harm to thousands. Following a failed attempt to fly to Thailand from Manchester Airport in May 2022, Nicholls was re-arrested and is currently held at Wandsworth prison in London. His legal representative, Karen Todner, asserted Nicholls’ denial of involvement in drug supply to the US.
Katrina Berger, a special agent for Homeland Security investigations, condemned the actions of Nicholls, emphasizing the devastating impact caused by the distribution of fentanyl. She stated to the Daily Mail, “This poison ultimately led to the deaths of two service members and destroyed the lives of countless others.”
The case underscores the grave consequences of illicit drug trafficking and the inherent risks associated with the dark web. As Nicholls awaits his trial in the US, the investigation continues to unravel the extent of the global fentanyl smuggling ring allegedly operated by him and his accomplice.
