How Drugs Are Sold On The Dark Web
Understanding the Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines. This hidden layer is known for its anonymity and the ability to maintain privacy, often attracting users for various reasons, including illicit activities.
Although a large body of current research is focused on pathways for treatment of opioid use disorder and analyzing deaths per treatment capacity of substance use providers, these research areas are limited to the demand side of the opioid epidemic [40,41]. We believe that the findings and pattern analyses presented here, which place concentration on the supply side, might suggest a new direction to focus and will serve as a useful complement to current research conducted within the domain of addiction medicine. While the above-mentioned examples of interventions effectively reduced the volume of the darknet drug trade, the policy recommendations presented above were designed to be implemented among potential customers. Since some users purchase on the darknet because they do not want to risk a personal meeting with dealers, darknet markets extend the range of potential users (Pergolizzi et al., 2017).
If you happen to live far from your dealer—for me, stocking up on dope used to mean taking a Metro trip and walking through a sketchy neighborhood—this is a significant plus. Being able to have your drugs delivered right to your door is so much simpler. After you find your vendor, select your loot and pay the toll; it’s all about patience.
Another security issue of doing business online is the proliferation of exit scams with sites suddenly closing and taking everyone’s funds with them. Tor has many legitimate use cases for those seeking privacy online, or for those prevented from accessing sites due to censorship in any given country. The other key variation between these two non-indexed areas of the web is the means of access. You can’t just type the URL of a dark web site into Google, even if you know the address. We’ll look now at what you need to do in order to buy drugs on the dark web. While it’s hard to get a firm grasp on the scope of the deep web, most estimates hover around 5% of all internet activity being dark.
Paquet-Clouston et al. (2018) frame cryptomarkets in this way, insofar as drug dealers have to source their illicit drugs, at some point in the distribution channel, from producers or intermediaries in traditional physical illicit drug markets. Consequently, the same constraints that apply to illicit drug markets, such as the availability of products, for example, must also apply to cryptomarkets. Our research collected product listings and forum posts from 10 anonymous online market places and 6 forums. Our study determined the underground marketplace and forum list based on darknet site search engines and previous research works [20]. More specifically, we used darknet site search engines (such as Recon, Darknet live, Dark Eye, dark.fail, and DNStats [21,22]) to search underground marketplaces and forums and then manually validated their activeness.
Policy recommendations tailored to actual darknet market users should therefore be developed based on further research implemented in the communities of darknet markets. Interventions should then be integrated into a comprehensive drug policy framework that includes other elements, such as targeted harm reduction and treatment. Previous research suggests that the former, rather than the latter, is the likely source of the problem. Indeed, given that cryptomarkets are highly connected to physical markets (Paquet-Clouston et al., 2018), online vendors may have had a harder time, during the pandemic, delivering their drugs via the mail. Indeed, borders were harder to cross, and mail packages were delayed in favor of the delivery of essential goods.
Open communication with your teens as well as strict monitoring can have a substantial impact on well-being. This article will take you through how teenagers are buying illegal drugs online and what steps you as a parent can take to protect your teenagers from engaging in this behavior. “It took a major blow,” said Dan Palumbo, research director of Digital Citizens Alliance, speaking of the FBI’s crackdown on this online black market.
Its presence is rippling through the supply chain, and further undermining the police’s efforts to fight the drugs trade. Browsers like Tor, an open-source and free software, allow people to access dark websites where these goods are available, like a digital marketplace. These websites may look similar to any other surface or deep website you’d encounter. However, they differ in their domain suffix, ending in “.onion” instead of more obvious options like “.com” (Tor is actually short for The Onion Router, which is also where the term “onion routing” comes from — referring to anonymous communication on the dark web).
Why Do People Use the Dark Web?
Individuals may seek out the dark web for several purposes, including:
- Privacy: Users can communicate and conduct transactions without revealing their identities.
- Access to Restricted Content: Some content is only available via the dark web due to censorship or legal restrictions.
- Illegal Activities: A significant portion of dark web transactions involves the buying and selling of illegal goods, including drugs.
How to Buy Drugs on the Dark Web
Purchasing drugs on the dark web involves several steps. It is essential to understand the risks and legal implications involved.
1. Setting Up your Environment
To safely navigate the dark web, it’s crucial to secure your environment:
- Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network masks your IP address and encrypts your internet connection.
- Install Tor Browser: The Tor browser is specifically designed for accessing the dark web. It provides anonymity by routing your internet traffic through multiple servers.
- Secure your Device: Ensure that your computer or device has updated security software to protect against malware.
2. Locating Marketplaces
Once your environment is secure, you need to find marketplaces where drugs are sold:
- Directories: Use dark web directories to find marketplaces that offer drugs.
- Forums: Participate in forums dedicated to dark web discussions. Members often share reputable marketplace links.
- Social Media: Private social media groups may also provide information on where to buy drugs.
3. Evaluating Marketplaces
- Workshop participants noted that dark web users often exchange information on how to evade detection by law enforcement.
- For anyone addicted to drugs, waiting for supplies to arrive in the post – if they are not intercepted en route – can be challenging when there is a delay.
- While it’s hard to get a firm grasp on the scope of the deep web, most estimates hover around 5% of all internet activity being dark.
- Encryption technologies allow vendors to communicate with customers and receive payments anonymously.
- Other terms for the surface web include the visible web, lightnet, or indexed web.
Before making a purchase, assess the marketplace:
- Reviews: Read user reviews to determine the reliability of sellers.
- Escrow Services: Look for marketplaces that provide escrow services to ensure safe transactions.
- Rules and Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the marketplace’s rules to avoid potential scams.
4. Making a Purchase
After selecting a trustworthy marketplace, follow these steps to make a purchase:
- Create an Account: Most marketplaces require registration. Use a pseudonym and do not share personal information.
- Choose Payment Method: Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are commonly accepted. Ensure you understand how to use them securely.
- Select Your Product: Browse listings, ensuring you choose a reputable seller with positive feedback.
- Complete the Transaction: Follow the marketplace’s process to finalize your order.
Risks of Buying Drugs on the Dark Web
Engaging in transactions on the dark web comes with significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing drugs can result in severe legal ramifications, including arrest and imprisonment.
- Scams: There’s a high possibility of scams where you may lose money without receiving the product.
- Health Risks: Drugs bought on the dark web may be adulterated or of low quality, posing serious health risks.
FAQs
Q: Is it illegal to buy drugs on the dark web?
A: Yes, purchasing drugs on the dark web is illegal and can lead to criminal charges.
Q: Can my identity be traced if I buy drugs on the dark web?
A: While buying drugs on the dark web offers anonymity, it is not foolproof. Law enforcement agencies use various methods to track illegal activities.
Q: What should I do if I suspect a scam?
A: If you suspect a scam, report it to the marketplace administrators and avoid making any further transactions.
Conclusion
Understanding how to buy drugs on the dark web involves knowledge, caution, and an awareness of the potential legal repercussions. The dangers associated with such activities far outweigh the perceived benefits, making it essential to consider other options for obtaining assistance or support.
