Buying Drugs On The Dark Web Is Expensive, Complicated And Inherently Risky
Understanding the Darknet
As you can imagine, if you’re trying to buy illegal stuff, you don’t exactly want a paper trail leading back to you. That’s why people love Bitcoin, which is a digital currency that can be used completely anonymously. There are a couple different cryptocurrencies out right now, but Bitcoin is still the gold standard. Everybody says that scooping up drugs on the internet is easier and safer than meeting up with sketchy dealers under less-than-ideal circumstances, but I almost want to disagree. Not because I don’t trust the internet, but because I feel like unless someone specifically told me to do what I’m about to tell all of you to do, my dumb ass would have never even considered it.
The darknet is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. Accessing it requires specific software, most commonly Tor. This anonymity can be appealing for various activities, including illegal ones.
The former vanished in March 2015 with $12m-worth of customers’ bitcoin in an “exit scam”. The biggest still standing is Alphabay, though the recently opened fourth version of Silk Road could knock it off the top spot. Among the features to be added are profile pages for vendors, to include contact info for the vendor in case a market goes down, and customer reviews of the vendors across multiple markets where they peddle their wares. “I don’t have the capabilities yet to spider all of the darknet, so for now [I’m] working on making an automated site submitter for people to submit their sites and get listed in our search engine,” he said. “I will also be making it easier for advertisers to buy ads through an automated system.” As charged in the indictment and the complaint, between February 2019 and January 2022, defendants Edison Hernandez, Michael Caruso, Raymer Ynoa and Irvin Hernandez separately operated a door-to-door drug delivery service in the New York City area.
For support and advice on dark net investigations, contact your Regional Dark Net Operational Team (RDOT) within your respective Regional Organised Crime Unit, who are part of the UK Dark Web Intelligence, Collection and Exploitation (DICE) network. This is a collaboration of specialists across the National Crime Agency (NCA) and regional policing that tackles the sale of illicit commodities on the dark web. Silk Road offered drugs, porn and fake IDs and driver’s licenses for sale.
Why People Turn to the Darknet
Federal authorities announced last week several arrests, charges, and guilty pleas from a joint operation dubbed “Operation Darkness Falls,” which targeted people and organizations selling fentanyl and other drugs over the dark web. 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. However, the constant shutdowns of these marketplaces and the difficulty to lure big numbers to the dark web has meant that criminal enterprises have had to think differently about how they reach their markets. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has helped open up new avenues for criminal activity, from the greater vulnerability of home working to restricted access to venues and the use of vaccine passports. People are online more than ever and may also be more susceptible to illicit offerings. Dark web is mysterious and the anonymity it provides, the dark web has become a popular source for illicit drugs.
There are several reasons why individuals might seek out how to buy drugs on the darknet:
- More significantly, the online drug market is now thriving with sales from our youth, largely because there is no longer a fear of prescription drugs like Xanax, Oxycontin, or Adderall.
- He encourages his friends to bring any newly acquired drugs to his house to have them tested as well.
- Her decision to begin buying drugs online came at an extraordinarily trying time in her life, in 2016.
- Check packages that come to the house, and don’t allow your teen to have their own Post Office box.
A label is printed (customs officials are suspicious of handwritten addresses on international packages). Smart sellers use several post offices, all far from their homes—and, preferably, not overlooked by CCTV cameras. Some offer to send empty packages to new customers, so they can check for signs of inspection. Smart buyers use the address of an inattentive or absent neighbour with an accessible postbox, and never sign for receipt. Market URLs change rapidly nowadays on the dark web, to escape malicious hacking by blackmailers. This exposes users to risk as it is simple to copy a site’s code, host a fake version of it, circulate URLs online and steal users’ passwords to the official sites – and then steal their bitcoins.
Law enforcement faces a challenge both in acquiring relevant technical data and in turning it into evidence understandable to the public, members of which sit on juries deciding the guilt or innocence of those charged with dark web crimes. The evidence challenge is heightened by the growth of data quantity, indecipherable formats, and the need for cross-jurisdictional coordination. In light of difficulties posed by the encryption and anonymity features of software used on the dark web, the participants urged that law enforcement use best available standards, tools, and processes to capture evidence.
The results revealed more than 48,000 listings and around 2700 vendors claiming to send illicit drug products from 70 countries. The most frequent categories of illicit drugs offered by vendors were cannabis-related products (around 25%) followed by ecstasy (MDA, MDMA) and stimulants (cocaine, speed). The cryptomarket was then especially studied from a Swiss point of view. Illicit drugs were purchased from three sellers located in Switzerland. The results show that digital information, such as concealment methods and shipping country, seems accurate. But the illicit drugs purity is found to be different from the information indicated on their respective listings.
Given that the technology is all about anonymising identities and transactions, it may seem surprising buyers know which sellers to trust, and sellers which buyers to avoid – but they do. Some platforms are working to allay concerns about exit scams by moving towards decentralisation, holding “keys” to accounts in which money is held rather than holding the money in escrow. Two parties – some combination of the buyer, seller and platform – must use their keys to complete the transaction, meaning no one party has the ability to cut and run.
- Privacy: Users often feel safer purchasing illicit substances anonymously.
- Variety: The darknet can offer a wide array of drugs, sometimes not available in local markets.
- Accessibility: For some, accessing drugs through traditional channels can pose risks of arrest or social stigma.
Steps to Buy Drugs on the Darknet
While engaging in any illegal activity carries risks, here is an outline of the general steps involved in how to buy drugs on the darknet:
- Set Up Secure Software:
- Download and install the Tor Browser to access the darknet.
- Consider using a VPN for an extra layer of anonymity.
- Create a Digital Wallet:
- Set up a digital wallet for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are commonly used for transactions on the darknet.
- Purchase Bitcoin through exchanges or ATMs.
- Find a Marketplace:
- Access darknet marketplaces using the Tor browser. Examples include Silk Road and AlphaBay (note: many of these have been shut down or are scams).
- Research and read reviews to find reputable sellers.
- Browse Listings:
- Search for the specific drugs you are interested in, reviewing descriptions and seller ratings.
- Be cautious of scams and low-quality products.
- Make a Purchase:
- Select the desired product and follow the website’s purchasing instructions.
- Ensure your shipping address is discrete and secure.
- Safety Practices:
- Consider using secure communication methods with the seller.
- Never disclose personal information.
Risks and Legal Considerations
Engaging in illegal activities on the darknet comes with significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Buying drugs can lead to serious legal repercussions if caught.
- Scams: The anonymity of the darknet can shield fraudulent sellers.
- Quality Concerns: The quality and safety of drugs cannot be guaranteed.
FAQs
Q: Is it legal to buy drugs on the darknet?
A: No, purchasing drugs is illegal in most jurisdictions, regardless of the platform used.
Q: How can I ensure my safety while using the darknet?
A: Use a VPN, avoid giving personal information, and never purchase from unverified sellers.
Q: Are there legitimate uses for the darknet?
A: Yes, some use it for purposes such as privacy protection, digital activism, and secure communication.
Always consider the implications and potential consequences before engaging in anything involving the darknet.
