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Silk Road 20
Exploring the World of Dark Web Drugs
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines, making it a haven for illegal activities, including the sale and distribution of dark web drugs. This underground marketplace has gained notoriety due to its anonymity and the variety of illicit substances available.
He says he’s motivated to stop using drugs because he’s enrolled in university this fall and doesn’t want drugs to get in the way of his career ambitions. The researcher found about 95 sellers, or four per cent, indicated they shipped from Canada during the 12-month period. Canada had the sixth-highest proportion of dealers on the site (among those who specified a location), outpacing France, Spain and China. Working with American and Australian authorities, Canada Post, CBSA and Canadian municipal police forces, including Calgary officers, the RCMP obtained search warrants for a Kelowna, B.C., home and business, arresting two suspects. Investigators posed as buyers and conducted “countless hours of covert surveillance.” The probe led to the seizure of up to 25 packages suspected of containing fentanyl or carfentanil, destined for Canadian, American, European and Australian cities. Cybercrime investigators in Calgary, who, Lalande says, are “always working dark web files,” face many obstacles.
What Are Dark Web Drugs?
Finally, the category of anonymity and encryption refers to the untraceability of online shopping and the unidentifiability of the customer. In legal commerce, this is only relevant in terms of storing and managing data related to the purchase and the customer (Ilmudeen, 2019). Some online shoppers are only willing to provide their personal data at the point when they order the products but refuse to register and ask the seller to delete all information about them.
Dark web drugs refer to any illicit substances that can be purchased via hidden marketplaces on the dark web. These platforms often require specific software, like Tor, to access, providing users with a degree of anonymity.
Common types of dark web drugs include:
- Illicit narcotics (e.g., heroin, cocaine)
- Prescription medications (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines)
- MDMA and ecstasy
- Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, psilocybin)
- Synthetic drugs (e.g., fentanyl, bath salts)
The UN noted last month that although drug trafficking over the dark web is relatively modest, drug transactions increased 50 percent annually from September 2013 to January 2016. And in early 2016, then-US Attorney General Loretta Lynch warned that some gun sales were shifting to the dark web to stay outside the reach of regulations. When you log in to internet banking, you’ve navigated to a specific location online, but one that’s not served up in Google results. The same goes for the different pages that pop up in webmail services, like Gmail, or academic databases on a university network. More credible is Tor Market’s purported business strategy of purposely seeking to maintain a low profile compared to larger international sites.
Users were able to browse the ‘anonymous marketplace’ securely without risk of being monitored. These activities attracted the attention of the FBI who shut down Silk Road and suppressed a later attempt to revive the marketplace. The fact that the purity of more traditional substances has increased thanks to the competition created by dark web marketplaces can also be a danger. Evidence suggests that the potency of drugs such as MDMA and cocaine has risen in recent years, thanks in part to the market pressures created by hidden websites. While this might be seen as a boon for some users, purer drugs can have devastating effects when users are unaware of the potency of the substances they are consuming.
After all, terrorists and criminals have many similarities, and the techniques used by law enforcement to hinder the sales of illicit goods were also used to infiltrate and intercept potential terrorist attacks. Silk Road and more recently AlphaBay – the biggest dark web marketplaces for drugs – were shut down by police investigations. At the time of its closure, Silk Road processed around $15 million transactions a year. While it is more difficult to access, the dark web is a haven for some drug dealers as the prices for their drugs are also more expensive.
Each market category has subcategories and several related items are offered for sale on each, making AlphaBay one of the most popular and unique dark web marketplaces since it operates both as a classic marketplace and a data store. Teenagers are now more commonly ordering illegal drugs online through the dark web, rather than buying them directly from a dealer in person, a Detective Garda investigating the criminal use of cryptocurrency has said. Earlier this year, a study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found illegal websites have sales that average $300,000 to $500,000 a day. The study found marijuana accounted for about one-quarter of sales, followed by Ecstasy and stimulants. These websites also sell significant amounts of psychedelic drugs, opioids and other prescription medications.
Why Do People Turn to the Dark Web for Drugs?
There are several reasons why individuals may choose to purchase dark web drugs instead of obtaining them through traditional means:
- Anonymity: Users can browse and purchase without revealing their identity.
- Variety: The dark web often offers a wider range of substances than local dealers.
- Accessibility: Users in areas with limited access to drugs may find it easier to order online.
- Price: The competitive nature of the dark web can lead to lower prices for some drugs.
Risks Involved with Purchasing Drugs on the Dark Web
While the allure of dark web drugs may be strong, there are significant risks associated with this illicit activity:
- Legal consequences: Purchasing drugs online is illegal and can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Quality control: There is no guarantee of the substance’s purity or safety; many users may receive counterfeit or adulterated drugs.
- Scams: Many sellers are fraudulent, and buyers may lose their money without receiving any product.
- Cybersecurity risks: Engaging in dark web transactions can expose users to hacking or identity theft.
- Some people might assume that buying drugs on the dark web is safer because of its perceived anonymity, but that isn’t necessarily true.
- Online drug marketplaces seem to have started around 2011, when Silk Road disrupted the way people buy drugs, shifting from dark alleys to the dark web.
- Theeconomist1 speculates that vendors for RC and possibly alp buy the chemicals overseas (often from China), press them into pills, and then sell the final (or intermediate product) on the web.
- Okparaeke used the dark web marketplace AlphaBay to peddle his drugs between 2016 and 2017, engaging in over 7,000 sales of synthetic opioids.
- Law enforcement agencies received crucial leads from local police who were investigating overdose deaths related to dark web purchases.
- The study found more than 90 per cent of the samples contained the drugs they were sold as, and that most samples were of high purity.
FAQs
1. Is it safe to buy drugs on the dark web?
No, buying dark web drugs carries significant risks, both legally and personally. It’s crucial to consider these dangers before attempting to make a purchase.
2. What is the process of buying drugs on the dark web?
The general process involves accessing a dark web marketplace, creating an account, using cryptocurrency for transactions, and having the substance shipped discreetly.
3. How can one stay anonymous on the dark web?
While complete anonymity is challenging, users often employ VPNs, Tor browsers, and cryptocurrencies to enhance their privacy.
4. What are the potential legal consequences?
Being caught purchasing or possessing dark web drugs can lead to criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment, depending on the jurisdiction and severity of the offense.
Conclusion
The dark web drugs market continues to thrive, driven by both demand and the quest for anonymity. However, the associated risks and legal implications cannot be overstated. It is essential for individuals to make informed choices and understand the potential consequences of engaging in this underground trade.
