“Here To Make It Less Dangerous”—The Work Of A Dark-Web Drug Seller
Understanding the World of Darknet Drugs
This report showed that more than 90% of samples contained the exact drugs they were sold as, and that many were of a high purity. While marketplaces pop up like weeds—the notorious AlphaBay was recently resurrected by DeSnake, one of its original administrators—skittish or incarcerated vendors may be harder to come by. Not all of the arrests appear to trace directly or exclusively back to the DarkMarket takedown; court documents show that in many cases, suspicious packages provided an initial tipoff.
Instead, darknet markets primarily play the role of local retailers serving the “last mile” in a small number of rich countries. The drug trade has traditionally operated along well-established supply chains. But the darknet has the potential to fundamentally change these routes, so there is great interest among researchers, law enforcement agencies, and policy makers about how the changes are happening.
Therefore, the survey was not conducted among darknet market customers, and it is not representative for the country in which it was carried out. However, its results can provide evidence-based recommendations for interventions targeted at university students. Whilst a great many products are sold, drugs dominate the numbers of listings, with the drugs including cannabis, MDMA, modafinil,[107][108][109] LSD, cocaine, and designer drugs. Tails, an operating system popular among dark-web fans, blocks almost all non-anonymous communication to or from a computer.
The darknet has emerged as a haven for illicit activities, particularly in the trade of drugs. Operating on encrypted networks, this part of the internet facilitates the anonymous buying and selling of various substances, often evading the law.
The technology and network category includes trust factors regarding the user experience on websites and the smoothness of internet connections. The success of web markets is greatly facilitated by their well-designed and well-structured interface, since the persuasion of customers begins when they first visit the website. The structure and manageability of the website (Al-Dwairi, 2013) and the performance and stability of the market interface (Karimov & Brengman, 2014) both affect the purchasing process on surface web markets. According to Mr Martin, the drug trade may be experiencing the equivalent of the online retail boom of the 1990s, when department stores downplayed the threat posed by insurgent e-tailers. Those department stores have since built websites of their own—or gone out of business. Old-style drug lords might want to think about investing in cryptomarkets, or risk being disrupted out of existence.
Our study identified 41,000 opioid trade–related marketplace listings and forum posts by analyzing more than 1 million listings and posts in multiple anonymous marketplaces and forums, which is the largest underground opioid trading data set ever reported. We found evidence through extensive analyses of the anonymous online market of pervasive supply, which fuels the international opioid epidemic. Nontraditional methods, as presented here by studying the online supply chain, present a novel approach for governmental and other large-scale solutions. When interpreted by professionals, our initial results demonstrate useful findings and may be used downstream by law enforcement and public policy makers for impactful structural interventions to the opioid crisis.
I try to provide the best products and service I can, when someone has a problem or claims [their order was] short on pills (as long as they have ordered from me before) I usually take them at their word. One defendant in California led an organization that bought fentanyl in bulk, pressed it with methamphetamine into pills and sold millions of them to thousands of people on the dark web, he said. Marie had never purchased drugs in the conventional way—and still hasn’t. Garland described the cartel’s fentanyl trafficking operation as “the largest, most violent, and most prolific” in the world. Officials said they collaborated with law enforcement agencies in Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The total number of arrests was the highest ever for any JCODE operation and more than double that of the largest previous law enforcement action, officials said.
To find out, our recent study surveyed 13 darknet drug vendors, via online encrypted interviews. These markets host hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of people who sell drugs, commonly referred to as “vendors”. The dark web offers vital anonymity for vendors and buyers, who use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to process transactions. Whether because of fentanyl adulteration or the present pandemic, buying drugs from the “dark web”—a term for sites in the unsearchable “deep web” part of the internet that require specific software to access—has never looked so appealing.
- This decline was triggered in part by the closure of prominent fraud shops like Bypass Shop, which was shut down in March.
- In a sting operation, British authorities intercepted a parcel containing 11,000 tablets of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with a street value of £80,000.
- Avast One is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with a built-in VPN that fully encrypts your internet connection for true online privacy.
- To this end, we propose a series of techniques to collect data; identify opioid jargon terms used in the anonymous marketplaces and forums; and profile the opioid commodities, suppliers, and transactions.
- The most secure way to send payments across the Dark Web is to use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
- Given the darknet’s infrastructure, which is hidden behind onion routing, the darknet attracts sites whose proprietors want to remain anonymous.
But even if the police officers’ story does not hold up, in its outline it is typical of recent developments in the drug trade. Though online markets still account for a small share of illicit drug sales, they are growing fast—and changing drug-dealing as they grow. Sellers are competing on price and quality, and seeking to build reputable brands. Turnover has risen from an estimated $15m-17m in 2012 to $150m-180m in 2015. And the share of American drug-takers who have got high with the help of a website jumped from 8% in 2014 to 15% this year, according to the Global Drug Survey, an online study. Similar to the after effects of shutting down AlphaBay and Hansa, the RAMP marketplace closure caused little disturbance to the Russian segment of darknet cryptomarkets.
The Landscape of Darknet Drugs
Within the darknet, several market platforms have gained notoriety for their extensive listings of drugs. These digital marketplaces allow users to browse and purchase substances with relative anonymity.
- Silk Road: One of the first and most infamous darknet markets.
- AlphaBay: A popular marketplace that dominated after Silk Road.
- Marketplaces: New platforms frequently arise as law enforcement cracks down on existing ones.
Types of Darknet Drugs
The types of drugs available on the darknet range from commonly known substances to more exotic options. Users can find:
- Controlled Substances: Opioids, stimulants, and hallucinogens.
- Research Chemicals: Unregulated new drugs that mimic the effects of traditional substances.
- Prescription Medications: Available without a legitimate prescription.
Risks Involved in Purchasing Darknet Drugs
While the allure of anonymity might be appealing, purchasing darknet drugs comes with significant risks:
- Legal Risks: Buyers are subject to prosecution under drug laws.
- Quality Control: Drugs purchased may be adulterated or fake.
- Scams: Fraudulent vendors can take advantage of unsuspecting buyers.
FAQs About Darknet Drugs
What is the darknet?
The darknet is a part of the internet that requires specific software to access, often used for anonymity.
How do people buy darknet drugs?
Users typically use cryptocurrencies to make purchases on various darknet markets.
Is it safe to buy drugs from the darknet?
No, buying drugs from the darknet carries numerous risks, including legal consequences and safety concerns.
What types of payment are accepted on darknet markets?
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Monero are commonly used for transactions due to their perceived anonymity.
Conclusion
The landscape of darknet drugs is complex and fraught with danger. While it provides access to a variety of substances, the accompanying legal and personal risks cannot be ignored. Intrigued users must exercise extreme caution and consider the potential consequences of engaging with this hidden world.
