A user of an online dark web drugs empire ended up helping run the £4.3million empire – and he wasn’t paid a wage

Between April 2024 and April 2025, Connor Pardoe was employed by SocialPharma.

His entire participation took place online, with him receiving payment in drugs for his services.

Initially a customer of SocialPharma, Pardoe subsequently assumed a more substantial position as a moderator, essentially functioning as a customer service agent.

Within this capacity, Pardoe enabled communication between purchasers and the operation, dealing with complaints regarding missing deliveries, responding to enquiries, and expelling members who breached group regulations.

He additionally advertised drug listings within SocialPharma channels and throughout a broader network of associated drug platforms.

During a hearing in March, the 30-year-old admitted guilt to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs (namely crack cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin), and one count of conspiracy to supply class B drugs (namely amphetamine).

Pardoe received a prison sentence of three years and nine months for these offences.