The Dark Web Drug Trade: An Unseen Threat And Strategies To Counteract
- The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.
- This platform is commonly used because of its accessibility, free use, and anonymity.
- Workshop participants related a need for guidance from federal partners on how to manage privacy concerns during investigations.
- “I do not endorse sites and I do not take payment in exchange for anything. I am an uptime checker and a encryption-signature-verifier,” said DF.
- For each transaction we know what was sold, the price in bitcoin, the date of completion, shipping details, the customer’s rating and the vendor’s pseudonym.
- The opioid buyer (client) will also access the anonymous online market and create an account in each anonymous marketplace before they can find the listings of opioids (step 4).
Understanding the Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It provides a high level of anonymity for users and is often associated with illegal activities, including the trade of illicit substances. Understanding how to navigate this hidden part of the web is crucial if one wishes to explore it safely. However, it is essential to remember that buying drugs on the dark web can pose serious legal and personal risks.
Dark web is mysterious and the anonymity it provides, the dark web has become a popular source for illicit drugs. Drug sales on the dark web now amount to 315 million dollars annually, up from 80 million dollars annually just in 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report. Sites on the surface web (or open web) are those visible to average users without the use of Tor or any other special browsers or software. Sites on the surface web are also indexable and can be easily found using search engines. Although the surface web is made up of many of the most popular .com, .net, and .org sites, it’s estimated that it represents only around 5% of the total content available on the internet, with the rest being found on the deep web or dark web. In a classic example, the surface web can be imagined as the tip of a large iceberg whose bulk remains hidden just under the surface.
Necessary Steps for Safe Browsing
Among those arrested were the operators behind the dark web username “MH4Life,” which the Department of Justice called the most prolific dark web fentanyl vendor in the US and the fourth most prolific in the world. If you are a parent feeling shocked by how easy it is to access the Dark Web and the possibilities of your teenager buying illegal drugs online, you are not alone. The dangers of the Dark Web alarming, especially for teenagers who are still developing and may not fully understanding the concerns parents have.
Before learning how to buy drugs on the dark web, consider the following steps to ensure safe browsing:
As alleged, defendant Edison Hernandez was a highly rated vendor of illegal narcotics on Silk Road, AlphaBay, Dream Market and Wall Street Market. From January 2013 until April 2019, Hernandez advertised and sold heroin and cocaine to customers in the United States through these dark web marketplaces. In the quantitative questionnaire, we applied a trust scale of 21 items developed based on previous research results on legal and illegal online purchase transactions. These empirical studies focused on the trust factors in online purchasing, which consumers considered indispensable for safe online shopping. To facilitate the application, we have created seven categories and classified the trust factors into these categories (see Table ​Table11). Silk Road was a black market digital platform where users conducted illegal transactions like buying drugs using bitcoin.
Hence, vendors may have simply been unable to fulfill their orders, which, in turn, leads to a higher failure rate. Moreover, the pandemic has also had a disruptive impact on the physical illicit drug market, causing both shortages of illicit drugs and an increase in the prices of some drugs (EMCDDA-Europol, 2020). In light of social distancing measures, the supply chain and logistics of drug trafficking underwent profound disruption, particularly at the distribution level (EMCDDA, 2020). Should this hypothesis turn out to be true, then we would expect the success rate of transactions to return to normal once the pandemic has subsided. In our study, a total of 248,359 listings from 10 anonymous online marketplaces and 1,138,961 traces (ie, threads of posts) from 6 underground forums were collected. Among them, we identified 28,106 opioid product listings and 13,508 opioid-related promotional and review forum traces from 5147 unique opioid suppliers’ IDs and 2778 unique opioid buyers’ IDs.
If the takedown of Silk Road taught us anything at all, it is that selling and buying drugs online is possible—and that these websites work. There are many imitators of this online drug arena, half of which derived directly from the Silk Road template. But now, the number of websites selling drugs illegally has increased exponentially. Today, there are about 9,300 websites selling drugs illegally on the darkweb. Many people often assume that the dark web is fictitious, only used in movies and television to show characters selling or buying drugs. However, the dark web is actually a real thing that exists in the real world, and it’s something that drug addicts can use to get drugs.
- Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for prying eyes to track your online activities.
- Install Tor Browser: The Tor Browser is specifically designed for accessing the dark web while maintaining user anonymity.
- Understand Cryptocurrency: Most transactions on the dark web are conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which provides additional privacy.
To collect self-reported data on cryptomarket transactions, we launched a platform where participants can enter information about their prior activities on cryptomarkets. The sample consists of 591 valid self-reports that were received between January 1st, 2020 and August 21st, 2020. As with everything else during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic, contactless drug peddling was identified as an accelerating trend. Since the demise of Wall Street and Dream, two new markets, Empire and Nightmare – which both opened over a year ago – have grown rapidly as users have migrated over from closed sites.
Finding Markets
Once you’re set up for safe browsing, you will need to find a market where drugs are sold.
- Research Dark Web Markets: Look for forums or communities that discuss safe and reliable markets. Popular markets often have user reviews.
- Look for Reliable Vendors: Identify vendors with positive feedback and strong reputations. Always review their ratings before making a purchase.
- Joining Forums: Various forums dedicated to the dark web can provide insight into which markets are trustworthy.
The Buying Process
Once you find a suitable market and vendor, follow these steps to proceed with a purchase:
- Create an Account: Most markets require you to create an account. Use a unique username and strong password.
- Fund Your Wallet: Transfer cryptocurrency into your wallet on the market. Make sure to keep a record of the transaction.
- Select Products: Browse through the available listings. Take note of the descriptions, prices, and vendor ratings.
- Add to Cart: Once you’ve chosen your product, add it to your cart.
- Complete the Purchase: Follow the market’s procedure to finalize your transaction.
- Ensure Safe Delivery: Use discreet shipping options and consider the risks of receiving the package.
Risks and Considerations
Buying drugs on the dark web is laden with risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing illegal substances can result in severe legal penalties.
- Scams: Many vendors may not deliver the product, and you could lose your money.
- Health Risks: Illicit drugs may be laced with harmful substances, posing serious health risks.
FAQs
Is it legal to buy drugs on the dark web?
No, purchasing drugs on the dark web is illegal in most countries and can lead to serious legal repercussions.
Can I get caught buying drugs online?
Yes, law enforcement agencies actively monitor the dark web and have methods to track users, which can result in arrests.
What if the seller scams me?
While some markets have escrow systems that protect buyers, there is still a significant risk of fraud. Proceed cautiously.
Exploring the dark web poses not only legal but also personal risks, making it essential to consider the implications before proceeding.
