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Understanding Darknet Drug Trafficking
Law enforcement made 288 arrests and seized 117 illegal firearms, 850 kilograms of drugs, including 54 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, and $53.4 million in cash and digital currencies as part of the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement’s (JCODE’s) Operation SpecTor. The number of arrests and seizures exceeded that of any previous JCODE operation, according to DOJ officials. This bipartisan bill is part of Senator Hassan’s efforts to combat the substance misuse crisis in New Hampshire and across the country. In 2019, Senator Hassan traveled to China, where she pushed Chinese officials to address fentanyl trafficking. The Senator then worked with her colleagues to address this issue – and the most recent annual defense bill included a bipartisan measure from Senators Hassan and Pat Toomey (R-PA) to hold China and other bad actors accountable for contributing to America’s fentanyl-fueled opioid crisis.
The darknet is oftentimes associated with illegal activities, with drug trafficking being one of the most significant concerns. This hidden segment of the internet provides a unique platform for the sale and distribution of illegal substances.
What is the Darknet?
In addition, most of the respondents would prefer to purchase drugs online than in person. Both findings indicate that the perception of the reliability of markets and vendors determines potential customers’ decisions. The escrow system used in darknet markets provides an additional technical guarantee of payment security by depositing the price of the ordered product and releasing it upon receipt if both the vendor and the customer agree (Moeller, 2022).
Still, there was close to $3.8 billion worth of crypto stolen through hacks in 2022, with huge spikes happening in March and October. Like last year, DeFi projects were the most-targeted crypto entities by hackers, accounting for over 82% of all hacks last year. For those who are averse to confrontation, and who are sufficiently tech-savvy, the dark web offers an alternative to the risk and violence of dealing drugs offline.
The darknet refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines. Access to these areas typically requires special software, such as Tor or I2P, which anonymizes users and their activities.
That leaves Unicc and Benumb Shop as the two last fraud shops making a real dent on the illicit personal data market. Encryption technologies allow vendors to communicate with customers and receive payments anonymously. The drugs are delivered in the post, so vendor and customer never have to meet in person. Although the sale of party drugs like ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine went down as a result of the pandemic, the EMCDDA says users have turned to lesser known psychoactive drugs instead. Authorities at EMCDDA say, “The events of 2020 are likely to have a longterm impact on the future challenges arising in the area of drugs.”
How Does Darknet Drug Trafficking Work?
In some cases, the drugs may contain only a small amount of the active ingredient, or none at all, meaning they are ineffective at best and potentially dangerous at worst. The consequences of taking counterfeit prescription drugs can be serious and even life-threatening. These drugs may contain toxic or unregulated ingredients that can cause serious side effects, including organ damage, heart attack, stroke, and even death. In addition, taking these drugs may delay or prevent proper treatment for the underlying medical condition, leading to further complications. Drug traders list drug products by using a fixed template, which includes a few sections, including the name and the type of drug, the weight of the product, the location it’s shipped from, shipment details, and pricing.
Drug trafficking on the darknet operates through various structures and procedures that include the following:
Silk Road serviced over 100,000 customers during its time online before it was shut down by the FBI in 2013. During the shutdown, the FBI seized approximately 144,000 Bitcoins, worth about $28.5 million. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, Silk Road became the blueprint of how to operate a darknet drug market through the use of Tor, cryptocurrency, and user feedback systems like the one that exists on eBay. If you have specific questions related to a drug trafficking case, then it is important that you speak to an experienced federal drug trafficking attorney right away. A seven-count indictment recently released by federal prosecutors allege two people were engaging in the illegal sale of opioids on the dark web in a form of online drug trafficking .
Darknet weapons dealers from BMG (Black Market Guns) advertise that the weapons have not been used, arrive in the original manufacturer’s factory condition, and originate from NATO stockpiles. Some of the photos of the weapons on offer include visible serial numbers and others are stock photos sourced online. Most darknet services offer worldwide shipping with some exceptions to Russia due to their strict import controls. But as soon as one substance is banned, chemists at clandestine labs slightly tweak the molecular structure to produce something intended to deliver a similar high.
- Marketplaces: Specialized websites where users can buy and sell illicit drugs. Examples include Silk Road and its successors.
- Payment Systems: Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Monero are preferred due to their anonymity.
- Shipping: Sellers often employ creative methods to smuggle drugs, using various postal services and addresses to mask their identity.
- Feedback and Ratings: Similar to e-commerce platforms, buyers and sellers leave reviews, leading to a reputation-based environment that encourages trust.
Reasons for Usage
- Synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, kill more Americans every year than died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.
- Search engines devoted to drugs like Cannahome list tens of thousands of substances across multiple marketplaces.
- Legal actions against individuals involved in the Darknet drug trade showcased the determination of authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.
- According to UNODC, most of the drugs sold in the darknet ship from North America and Europe.
Users turn to darknet drug trafficking for several reasons, including:
- Anonymity: The darknet provides a level of privacy not found on the surface web, protecting both buyers and sellers.
- Accessibility: Individuals can acquire drugs that may not be readily available in their region or country.
- Variety: The darknet offers an extensive range of substances, including prescription medications, recreational drugs, and novel psychoactive substances.
Risks Involved
Engaging in darknet drug trafficking is fraught with risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing or selling illegal drugs can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Scams: Buyers risk being cheated, receiving no product or a product that is completely different from what they ordered.
- Health Risks: The quality and potency of drugs obtained from the darknet can be unpredictable and dangerous.
FAQs about Darknet Drug Trafficking
Q1: Is the darknet illegal?
A: The darknet itself is not illegal; however, many activities conducted within it, including drug trafficking, are against the law.
Q2: How can law enforcement track darknet drug trafficking?
A: Despite the anonymity offered by the darknet, law enforcement agencies can use various techniques, including digital forensics and undercover operations, to track illegal activities.
Q3: Are there safer alternatives to purchasing drugs?
A: Seeking help from healthcare professionals is always the best approach. There are programs and resources available for those struggling with substance use.
Conclusion
Darknet drug trafficking represents a complex issue that raises significant legal and social challenges. As technology evolves, so do the methods employed by traffickers, continuously prompting the need for law enforcement and society to adapt to these changes.
