https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/06/british-breaking-bad-fan-trafficked-fentanyl-killed-us-navy/

A British fan of Breaking Bad has been accused of trafficking £15 million of fentanyl that caused the death of two US Navy submariners.

Paul Nicholls is now being extradited to the US after his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent his removal was rejected.

The 46-year-old self-published author is accused of smuggling the drug into the US via the dark web.

It is alleged the product – which is 50 times stronger than heroin – was responsible for the death Brian Jarrell and Ty Bell, two US mariners, who died within days of each other and were thought to be his customers.

US police say the father of two ran a global fentanyl smuggling ring alongside 62-year-old Thomas Federuik between April 2017 and February 2018.

Mr Nicholls, who is originally from Stoke-on-Trent but was living in Canada, has written a number of books, under the pseudonym, Nico Laeser, with themes including drug addiction.

He has also painted a picture of Walter White – the protagonist in the hit series Breaking Bad, who turns from chemistry teacher to mass-methamphetamine producer.

Mr Nicholls is facing charges of conspiracy to import and distribute controlled substances, and money laundering.

He denies the charges, but after his appeal to the ECHR was rejected, the National Crime Agency is now arranging his removal to the US.

Prosecutors say the drug supplied by Mr Nicholls and Mr Federuik caused the deaths of 25-year-old Jarrell and 26-year-old Bell when they were both stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Camden County, Georgia.

The two men were found dead days apart, as the US Navy confirmed both died of fentanyl overdoses.

Katrina Berger, special agent for Homeland Security investigations, told the Daily Mail: “This poison ultimately led to the deaths of two service members and destroyed the lives of countless others.”

US prosecutors claim both men received packages from the dark web before their death.

Postal packaging and labels were tracked back to Mr Nicholls and Mr Federuik who were seen dropping off packages for shipment.

In February 2018, properties belonging to the pair were raided by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, where evidence of £15 million-worth of the drug was found – said to be enough to “cause the deaths of thousands” according to the Mounties.

After dropping six parcels containing drugs at a post office, Mr Nicholls was arrested and sent back to Britain after the expiration of his Canadian visa.

He is being held in London’s Wandsworth prison after being rearrested in May 2022 at Manchester Airport as he attempted to fly to Thailand.

Karen Todner, his lawyer, told the paper: “Nicholls denies any involvement in the supply of drugs to the US.”