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Understanding the Dark Web Drugs Market
“To me, that’s very different than buying books or other things from people on a used market, where the risk is you don’t get that product, versus this product could potentially kill you.” Lalande says this work has led to arrests, such as that of a 39-year-old Calgary man who faces a dozen drug trafficking charges, among other offences. Whistleblowers in government or industry who don’t want to be identified can use it to flag journalists to practices they see as immoral or illegal. People living in authoritarian regimes may use it to avoid detection while some access it to avoid having their internet use tracked. Specialist cyber officers using covert tactics to monitor the dark web identified hundreds of addresses used for online drug orders. Investigations have highlighted the sale of substances such as prescription medicine, recreational drugs, and stupefying substances – more commonly known as ‘date rape’ drugs.
To avoid detection, all purchased items were sent to alternative addresses, like PO boxes. Silk Road operated via a hidden darknet feature in the anonymous Tor network. Accessed with an app, the Tor network allowed users to anonymously browse Silk Road without the threat of traffic monitoring. All transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency — namely Bitcoin — which further ensured anonymity. The number of arrests and amount of money seized were the most for any international Justice Department-led drug trafficking operation, he said. The operation, dubbed SpecTor, also included the seizure of 117 firearms, 850 kilograms of drugs — including 64 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics — and $53.4 million in cash and virtual currencies, the U.S.
Users were able to browse the ‘anonymous marketplace’ securely without the risk of being monitored. These activities attracted the FBI’s attention and it shut down Silk Road and suppressed a later attempt to revive the illegal marketplace. Gabriel Alva, 31, of Winnetka, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine; and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of this drug trafficking offense.
- He has a long-standing interest in both conventional and online forms of drug distribution, black markets and non-state governance, and the ‘war on drugs’.
- While most of the dark web operates under the radar, so to speak, government and law enforcement agencies around the world have also learned how to use the dark web.
- These markets host hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of people who sell drugs, commonly referred to as “vendors”.
- Indeed, many of the vendors on Tor Market in the early days were New Zealand-based and who only sold to local buyers.
- You’ve no doubt heard talk of the “dark web” as a hotbed of criminal activity — and it is.
The dark web represents a hidden portion of the internet, often associated with illicit activities. Among its most notorious offerings are dark web drugs, which have gained notoriety due to their accessibility and anonymity.
The Nature of Dark Web Drugs
These days, many people looking to purchase drugs simply need to turn on their computers and browse the dark web. They’ll find numerous sites that offer a variety of drugs for their purchase. Using cryptocurrency, the unregulated internet currency that doesn’t involve banks, individuals can buy drugs and have them shipped to their homes or a post office box the next day. The dark web is used for a range of illegal activities, most notably the exchange of child exploitation material and illicit drugs.
Dark web drugs are substances sold through anonymous online marketplaces. These drugs range from recreational narcotics to pharmaceuticals, often without any regulation or oversight.
One of the main illegal activities carried out on the dark web is the online sale of black-market drugs. Instead of visiting questionable locations or trying to find a connection in your neighborhood, you can buy internet drugs while sitting at your dining room table or desk. These sites don’t show up in search engines and can’t be visited with a regular web browser. You need special software that will obscure the site’s location on the internet (its IP address) and, generally, yours too. For many dark-web sites, that software is Tor, originally developed by the US government to protect intelligence information.
- Types of Drugs:
Old-style drug lords might want to think about investing in cryptomarkets, or risk being disrupted out of existence. Another study, by Mr Décary-Hétu and Ms Aldridge, suggests that roughly a quarter of deals on dark-web markets appear to be for wholesale purposes. Purchases of cannabis costing over $1,000 (roughly three ounces) make up 24% of marijuana sales by value. Other sellers are probably users who have bought a bit more than they need and have no one to sell to. They find buyers online, drop their surplus in the post and leave it at that. Ms Aldridge points to “doxxing”—the release of personal details online—as one.
The detective warned parents a “red flag” was if their teenage children were using a special internet browser such as Tor, which can access the dark web. Other sites included in the search listings so far include Agora, BlackBank, Cloud-Nine, Evolution, NiceGuy, Pandora, and The Pirate Market. Officers also found 850kg of drugs, including 43kg of MDMA and 10kg of LSD and ecstasy pills, and 117 firearms.
- Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine)
- Depressants (e.g., heroin, opioids)
- Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, psilocybin mushrooms)
- Synthesized drugs (e.g., synthetic cannabinoids, bath salts)
- Common Platforms:
- Silk Road (historic)
- Dream Market
- Empire Market
- AlphaBay
Institutional Access
How the Dark Web Functions
The operation of dark web drugs involves several critical elements that contribute to its anonymity and complexity:
- Access: Users navigate to dark web sites using specific browsers like Tor, which anonymize their IP addresses.
- Cryptocurrency: Transactions are primarily conducted using cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin), making it difficult to trace financial movements.
- Feedback Systems: Vendors often utilize rating systems similar to those in legitimate e-commerce, helping to build trust within the community.
Risks Associated with Dark Web Drugs
Engaging in the dark web drugs market bears several significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing or selling drugs from the dark web can lead to serious legal repercussions, including significant fines and imprisonment.
- Quality Control: There is no regulation on drug quality, leading to potential substance adulteration or misrepresentation.
- Fraud: Users may risk financial loss through scams or dishonest vendors, where payment is made but the product is never received.
- Health Risks: Using unregulated drugs can lead to severe health complications, including overdose and addiction.
FAQs about Dark Web Drugs
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a section of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software to access.
Are all items on the dark web illegal?
While many items and services available on the dark web are illegal, there are also legal goods and services, though they are less common.
How do people buy drugs on the dark web?
Users typically use a combination of the Tor browser and cryptocurrency for purchases to maintain anonymity.
What should I do if I encounter dark web drugs?
If you come across any drugs or illicit activities on the dark web, it is advisable to report them to law enforcement authorities.
In conclusion, while the dark web drugs market continues to thrive due to its allure of anonymity and ease of access, the associated risks make it a dangerous venture for individuals. Awareness and caution are crucial for anyone curious about this hidden segment of the internet.
