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Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl
The term darknet markets refers to websites that operate on the dark web, a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by standard search engines. These marketplaces facilitate the buying and selling of illegal goods and services, including drugs. One of the most concerning substances available on these platforms is fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than heroin, making accidental overdoses easy when drug users believe they are only taking heroin. Before we delve a little more into the UNODC’s recent findings, here’s a quick explainer on darknet marketplaces and how they evolved. Anne Milgram, who leads the Drug Enforcement Administration, said the illegally sold drugs are contributing to an alarming trend in the U.S. “These are the drugs that are driving the overdose crisis in America, with 250 people dying each day,” she said. The report says a further takedown of Berlusconi, a large, Italian based darknet market that had grown significantly in response to other market closures, was followed by a significant decrease in overall opioid listings. The report shows the voluntary closure of Dream led to significant dispersal and displacement to both emerging and popular active and robust markets, resulting in an increase in overall listings of opioids. The markets, which sell a variety of contraband including illicit drugs, included Apollon, Empire, Dream, Nightmare, Tochka (aka Point), Berlusconi, Valhalla (aka Silkitie) and Wall Street.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is often used medically for pain management. However, its illegal production and distribution have become a significant public health crisis. It is estimated to be around 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making it particularly dangerous when misused or ingested without medical supervision.
It primarily bypasses censorship but is also used to access the general dark web. 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. Buying drugs online allows consumers to order from a smorgasbord of narcotics, delivered to the door via the postal system.
They are then falsely marketed as pharmaceuticals such as oxycodone or Xanax, seizing upon America’s heavy demand for prescription painkillers. The street dealers then call it whatever they want, leaving most customers completely unaware that the drug they just bought is actually fentanyl. Mexican drug cartels often take bulk pure fentanyl from China and then cut it with any number of substances, from heroin to cocaine to methamphetamine to cheap fillers such as sugar and acetominophen. In 2016, fentanyl-type drugs were responsible for killing nearly 20,000 people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One measure to prevent fentanyl overdose is distributing naloxone to bystanders.
The seller-buyer relationship is remote and impersonal, and the market is public and open, with features designed to promote professionalism. The design is typical of the kind of cryptomarket in common use in Western Europe, North America and Australia. It contrasts with Hydra, the Russian language market, which is more formalised and monopolistic, and which controls a high proportion of the Russian the drug market [7]. The FBI-led operation is part of a broader effort by U.S. law enforcement agencies to curb fentanyl trafficking.
Darknet Markets That Sell Fentanyl
Various darknet markets are known for the sale of fentanyl and its analogs. These platforms operate with varying degrees of legitimacy and security. Some notable darknet markets include:
The sentence follows a multiagency investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona. We also routinely track dark web markets for additional risk factors, such as the trade in fentanyl and firearms. Our Research and Investigations Team also focuses on identifying new ways vendors use to disguise the trade of such illicit goods. Elliptic has amassed a comprehensive dataset of crypto wallets used by fentanyl dealers to facilitate this deadly trade.
Between 2014 and 2016, fentanyl prices continued to fall even as demand rose, demonstrating returns to scale. Fentanyl will continue to become both more available and less expensive absent further market intervention. Fentanyl’s popularity and lethality make it critical that governing bodies coordinate to effectively regulate and limit its distribution. Miller’s findings demonstrate that closing marketplaces has little to no effect on the distribution of fentanyl, while reducing production has promise as a sustainable intervention. Additional research into market interventions that reduce production or disrupt demand will be critical in curtailing the opioid epidemic. Eliminating the price incentives consumers and distributors face to substitute fentanyl for other opiates will save lives.
View more information, including virtual currency wallet addresses, on the individuals and entities designated today. Highlighting the interrelated nature of the persons designated today, Wang Shucheng is the legal supervisor of Shanghai Jarred. USPIS operates its own world-class National Forensic Laboratory with some of the best forensic scientists and analysts in the field. Every day, they examine a myriad of evidence from fingerprints and DNA to narcotics and dark web activity.
- Inspectors attempted to deliver the February package, but Duclos did not answer the door.
- There are two tools that are used to do this; one is called Chain Analysis and the other is called Elliptical.
- They also emphasise innovation taking place in other related technological domains.
- More recently, on April 14, 2023, OFAC and the DOJ sanctioned and charged individuals and entities who used cryptocurrency addresses to sell illicit fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.
- The researchers collected data over 352 weekdays, from 2 January to 20 December 2019, looking at eight “high street” darknet markets.
- Beginning with Silk Road, the first large-scale dark web drug market, in 2011, traffickers and users have been flocking to these sites in part because they offer a degree of anonymity not available on the street.
- AlphaBay: Once one of the largest darknet markets, it has been known to feature a wide range of narcotics including fentanyl.
- Silk Road: Although it has been shut down, Silk Road was infamous for allowing users to buy fentanyl.
- Dream Market: This market gained notoriety post-Silk Road, offering various drugs including fentanyl.
- Empire Market: Known for a diverse catalog, Empire Market is reported to have fentanyl listings.
- DarkFox Market: A newer entrant, it promises anonymity and includes various opioids among its offerings.
Think of the dark web as a hidden layer of the intranet that exploits communication technologies and monetary frameworks in order to facilitate the often illegal exchange of goods and services. It’s essentially a digital marketplace designed to keep transactions anonymous and private. Use of the dark web requires special access, software and complex configurations. Because of the anonymity it provides, the dark web has become a popular source for illicit dark web drugs. In the world of darknet markets, the sale of illegal drugs is rampant. To stay safe while browsing these platforms, it is crucial to take the necessary precautions.
How Fentanyl is Marketed
On dark web platforms, fentanyl is often marketed alongside other recreational drugs. Sellers utilize the following methods:
- Branding and Packaging: Fentanyl is often labeled under different brand names or mixed with other substances to enhance appeal.
- Descriptive Listings: Sellers use detailed descriptions to attract buyers, often emphasizing purity levels and various forms of the drug.
- Reviews and Ratings: Like legitimate businesses, drug sellers often accumulate reviews that help build their reputation.
Risks Associated with Buying Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
Purchasing fentanyl on darkweb markets comes with several risks:
- Legal Consequences: Buying or possessing fentanyl without a prescription can lead to severe legal penalties.
- Health Risks: The potency of fentanyl increases the risk of overdose, particularly when purchased from an unregulated source.
- Fraud and Scams: There’s a significant risk of encountering fraudulent listings where buyers may send money without receiving any product.
- Lack of Quality Control: Unlike pharmaceutical fentanyl, drugs obtained from darknet markets are often untested and may contain dangerous impurities.
FAQs About Darknet Markets and Fentanyl
1. Is it safe to buy fentanyl on darknet markets?
No, buying fentanyl from darknet markets is highly unsafe due to legal risks and the risk of overdose.
2. What should I know before purchasing illegal drugs online?
Being aware of the legal consequences, potential health risks, and the possibility of scams is crucial before engaging in online drug purchases.
3. Are there legitimate uses for fentanyl?
Yes, fentanyl is legally prescribed for managing severe pain, especially in patients with cancer or undergoing major surgery.
4. How can someone manage an addiction to fentanyl?
Seeking professional help through counselors or rehabilitation programs is critical for managing addiction to fentanyl.
In summary, while darknet markets sell fentanyl, engaging in such activities poses profound risks to health and well-being, alongside significant legal repercussions.
