Soviet Illegal Alien Convicted by Federal Jury for Selling Fentanyl and Ecstasy Through the Mail

NEW BERN, N.C. - A federal jury convicted an illegal alien, Janusz Pachomow, 49, for conspiring to use the mail to send deadly drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ecstasy all over the United States. Pachomow entered the United States from the former Soviet Union in the 1970s.

This illegal alien met individuals from Europe and Australia while purchasing drugs through the dark web. Using encrypted applications, Pachomow agreed to ship drugs all over the United States through the U.S. Mail. Though an encrypted email account, these co-conspirators provided a temporary link to Pachomow that contained purchasers' names, addresses, and the drug types and quantities purchased. He would then fulfill those orders from the large stash of drugs at his house. Pachomow received payment in cryptocurrency.

"In Soviet Russia, drugs sell in mail. Not in USA. What a disgrace to escape communism only to pollute the land of the free. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill, Prison Awaits -Do right." said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.

Pachomow made his elderly mother drive him to the local post office to mail the drugs across the country. He typically mailed between three to 18 shipments a day. In an attempt to avoid detection, Pachomow affixed return addresses for various, random, uninvolved local businesses near his home. Those businesses received undeliverable items.

Law enforcement investigated and uncovered the scheme as local businesses reported suspicious mail "returned" to their addresses. German customs officials intercepted a suspicious package bound for Pachomow containing over 15 pounds of ecstasy pills shaped like Homer Simpson and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. The pills were hidden inside a water heater.

While executing a search of his home, law enforcement discovered large quantities of drugs, a plethora of drug paraphernalia including fentanyl gloves, and packing supplies matching the envelopes already recovered.

In response to the jury's verdict, Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, USPIS, said "the U.S. Postal Inspection Service values our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina who helped bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. Illegal shipments of drugs threaten the safety of all our communities. These crimes are a priority for Postal Inspectors and demonstrate the importance of our mission that includes the safeguarding of the Postal Service, its customers, and preventing the illegal use of the U.S. Mail."

"This verdict reflects the successful collaboration across international borders and agencies to disrupt a criminal enterprise responsible for distributing dangerous drugs to communities nationwide," said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte. "Through the combined efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, German customs, HSI Frankfurt, and our partners in the Eastern District of North Carolina, HSI remains committed to pursuing individuals who exploit online marketplaces and the postal system for illicit profit at the expense of public safety."

Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the jury's verdict. The USPIS, HSI, Moore County Sheriff's Office, and Aberdeen Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Beraka and Logan Liles prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North CarolinaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-242-FL.