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The Dutch national police’s Cyber Enabled Crime Team was involved in the operation, codenamed SpecTor. It seized 50.8 million euros ($53.4 million) in cash and virtual currencies, 850 kilograms of drugs, and 117 firearms were seized in a series of raids in several countries. The largest number of arrests — 153 — were made in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom with 55 and Germany with 52, according to the European Union law enforcement agency Europol, which coordinated the worldwide operation. According to the Chicago police reports, the fentanyl found at Midway has a street value of more than $3 million. “It’s hard to quantify the number of deaths from this potentially related to this particular operation,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. From coast to coast and around the world, a small global army of heavily armed and specially trained agents are now targeting the dark web fentanyl sakes on websites that aren’t nearly as difficult to reach as the name might suggest.
- Qingdao Cemo sales representatives offer various substances used to make illicit drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine.
- Inside the bunker, Xennt’s team installed servers that hosted dark-Web sites trading illicit products and images, including terrorist material and images of child abuse.
- Liam stumbled onto the dark net a couple of years ago when browsing the open web.
- We had successfully executed the search warrant and the search system themselves resulted in the seizure of both narcotics, a firearm, and numerous digital devices which may have been used to set up and facilitate this activity online.
- They may attract new buyers and may change use patterns by offering a greater range of higher-potency drugs.
US Department Of The Treasury
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, to increase their potency. Unfortunately, fentanyl is also widely available on darknet markets, making it easy for anyone to obtain and use this dangerous drug.
What are Darknet Markets?
Darknet markets are online marketplaces that operate on the dark web, a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through special software, such as the Tor browser. These markets are used to sell a wide variety of illegal goods and services, including drugs, weapons, and stolen data. Because they are hidden from view, darknet markets are difficult for law enforcement to monitor and shut down.
One network allegedly led by Jian Zhang of China sent thousands of packages of fentanyl, pill presses, stamps and dye to U.S. customers since 2013, according to federal prosecutors. It all starts in China, where a booming legitimate chemical industry hides illegal producers, and precursor chemicals and other items such as pill presses have been scarcely regulated, according to a March report by the U.S. Consider what it takes to produce heroin — large plots of secure land to grow opium poppies, a labor force for farming and refining, and several months of time. Poorly blended batches can create fentanyl hotspots, proving fatal for unsuspecting users.
Which Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
There are many darknet markets that sell fentanyl, but some of the most popular ones include:
- Dream Market
- Wall Street Market
- Silk Road 3.1
- AlphaBay
- Hansa Market
These markets are constantly changing and evolving, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest information about which markets are currently operating and which ones have been shut down. It is also important to note that buying and selling drugs on the darknet is illegal and can result in serious consequences, including imprisonment.
How is Fentanyl Sold on Darknet Markets?
Fentanyl is typically sold on darknet markets in the form of powders, pills, or patches. It can also be found in liquid form, which is often used to make counterfeit prescription drugs. Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, so it is important to be aware of this when purchasing drugs on the darknet. It is also important to remember that fentanyl is extremely potent and even small amounts can be deadly.
Fentanyl Sales On Darknet Markets
FAQs
Is it safe to buy fentanyl on darknet markets?
There is no evidence of a similar association at the U.S.-Canada border, however, suggesting that these chemical shops might be facilitating production, distribution, and trafficking of fentanyl in Mexico and Central America, but not Canada. Keep reading to learn more about the role of cryptocurrency in fentanyl sales across the globe. Acting Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wittman, who leads the Calgary Police Service’s cyber-forensic unit, says drugs for sale on the dark web are potentially lethal. Liam stumbled onto the dark net a couple of years ago when browsing the open web.
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No. Buying and selling drugs on the darknet is illegal and can result in serious consequences, including imprisonment. Additionally, fentanyl is a highly dangerous drug that can be deadly even in small amounts. It is not safe to use fentanyl, regardless of where it is obtained.
According to the study, AlphaBay operated from 2014 to 2017 and was considered the largest dark web marketplace at the time with more than 200,000 users. Researchers looked at more than 5,500 drug transactions on AlphaBay involving more than 870,000 items sold for about US$2.8 million, focusing on Utah-based Pharma-Master, which mainly made fake prescription oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl instead. To give you a better idea, a typical single pill of ibuprofen is two hundred milligrams.
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How can I protect myself from fentanyl?
The best way to protect yourself from fentanyl is to avoid using drugs altogether. If you do choose to use drugs, be aware of the risks and take steps to reduce your chances of coming into contact with fentanyl. This includes:
- Only using drugs that have been tested for fentanyl
- Using smaller amounts of drugs to reduce the risk of overdose
- Using drugs with someone else present, in case of an overdose
- Carrying naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses
Communication between buyers and sellers is generally scrambled with the help of encryption tools. And cryptocurrencies add another layer of protection for those seeking to duck police suspicion. Many of the fentanyl vendors in the criminal underground ship from a specific country, and indicate that the highest success rate for their shipments occurs when orders are shipped within that country. While orders outside of their country risk seizure at higher rates, many vendors are willing to ship their products globally.
What should I do if I or someone else has overdosed on fentanyl?
If you or someone else has overdosed on fentanyl, call 911 immediately. Naloxone can be used to reverse opioid overdoses, but it is important to get medical help as soon as possible. Overdosing on fentanyl can be fatal, so it is important to act quickly.
