“And today, [May 2, 2023] we have announced an unprecedented international enforcement action against drug traffickers on the dark web. The Justice Department, together with our American and international partners, will continue to disrupt and dismantle darknet markets,” said A.G. Dark web marketplaces are online marketplaces where people can buy and sell illicit goods and services under the protection of the anonymity of the dark web. The goods and services on offer range from leaked credit card details, exploit kits and hackers for hire, to advertisements for hitmen services. This tool used three main functions to identify the leading paper and its impacts on the field.
If you are looking to purchase fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, you may turn to the darknet markets. These online platforms operate on the dark web and provide a wide range of illicit substances, including fentanyl. However, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with buying drugs from these markets, as they often lack regulation and quality control.
Three Individuals Sentenced in Darknet Narcotics Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Distribution of Pills Pressed with Fentanyl
First developed in 1959 as an intravenous anesthetic, fentanyl is legally produced and widely used for pain relief. For users without a developed tolerance, just 2 milligrams can be fatal. In a further disruption of the business model of Mexico’s traditionally wholesale traffickers, increasingly fentanyl is coming to the United States in very low-purity pill form, highly profitable and potentially appealing to a wider base of users. Fentanyl seizures at southern border ports of entry ticked up to 600 kg in 2018 before surging to 7,200 kg in 2022, extending a dramatic rise that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the same period, heroin seizures fell more than 80% from over 2,000 kg, according to the Reuters analysis.
What Are Darknet Markets?
Darknet markets are online platforms that operate on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet that requires special software to access. These markets allow users to buy and sell a variety of illegal goods and services anonymously. While some items sold on darknet markets may be legal in certain jurisdictions, many vendors use these platforms to distribute drugs like fentanyl.
Carfentanil—An ultra potent opioid
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Several darknet markets are known for selling fentanyl and other opioids. Some of the most popular markets include:
Journal of Medical Internet Research
In our study, we found that 23.78% (9896/41,614) listings and traces were identified with the help of 58 opioid jargons (Table 2). Among them, suboxone and subutex medicines are most frequently mentioned by 2917 times in listings and traces in 10 platforms, followed by roxy series (ie, roxy, roxi, roxies, and roxys) with 2022 times and Lean with 1256 times. Both K9 and M30 were mostly found in Darkbay, within 384 listings in the year 2020, whereas Lean appeared 141 times in Empire listings. There were also at least half a dozen moderators that helped administer the market and its discussion forum, moderated disputes between buyers and vendors, and promoted the market on Reddit (prior to the shutdown of the DNM subreddit). The indictment from 2017 listed them individually by their monikers and many have been arrested. In addition to the U.S. knock and talks, DEA Special Agents took to local communities and neighborhoods nearby to distribute literature and talk with residents to educate them about the dangers of the dark web and of opioid trafficking and abuse.
- AlphaBay: AlphaBay was one of the largest darknet markets before it was shut down by law enforcement in 2017. It was notorious for selling a wide range of drugs, including fentanyl.
- Dream Market: Dream Market is another popular darknet market that has been known to sell fentanyl. However, law enforcement agencies have also targeted this platform in recent years.
- Hansa Market: Hansa Market was seized by authorities in 2017 as part of a coordinated international operation. It was a popular platform for buying and selling drugs, including fentanyl.
Law enforcement around the world has long pointed to China as being a source of deadly fentanyl as well as the precursors used to manufacture it. New research from both Chainalysis and Elliptic have put a number on how much of this trade is done in crypto. During this research, DarkOwl discovered a surface web domain that mirrors much of the information DeSnake shared on Dread, but with a Tor link to the market that is not in the mirrors.txt verified links list from AlphaBay. The surface web domain is likely setup specifically to direct users to a phishing site where their credential information can be stolen. Unfortunately, DeSnake’s contributions written in a mixture of English and Russian backfired and senior members of XSS berated them for their lack of operational security and inability to properly understand the dynamics of the Russian language.
Are Darknet Markets Safe for Buying Fentanyl?
Buying fentanyl or any other drug from a darknet market comes with significant risks. Since these platforms operate in the shadows, there is little to no oversight of the products being sold. This means that the fentanyl you purchase could be laced with other dangerous substances or may not be pure at all. Additionally, law enforcement agencies actively monitor darknet markets and may seize packages or arrest buyers.
In Conclusion
A response to Dolliver’s “Evaluating drug trafficking on the Tor Network: Silk Road 2, the sequel”
This would allow patients, in conjunction with their healthcare team, to decide which medication suits their needs best, in order to optimise treatment retention and health outcomes. Kingdom Market charged vendors 500 Euros to start selling, then charged fees on sales. Transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency and Kingdom advised users in methods to conceal their transactions, the documents say. A massive international operation targeting dark web markets culminated in 288 arrests, the seizure of 1,875 pounds of drugs and more than $50 million in cash and cryptocurrency, authorities said Tuesday. Once there were just dark alley handoffs, then illegal drugs appeared on the dark net, and now sellers use apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat to sell and deliver them right to your door.
- By August 2017, the DEA were following up on this tip jar Bitcoin wallet that OxyMonster was so keen to advertise.
- Authorities submitted evidence that more than 90 of the drug ring’s customers died of drug overdose.
- Through our integrated treatment programs, we’ve helped thousands of people choose recovery over addiction and get back to life on their own terms.
- The team collaborates with multiple U.S. agencies and international partners, including authorities in Brazil and Europol.
- Monthly cryptocurrency transactions to the Chinese firms selling fentanyl ingredients that Elliptic identified.
- A Phoenix police officer was seriously injured after responding to a robbery on Wednesday evening, according to officials.
While darknet markets offer a convenient way to purchase illicit substances like fentanyl, the risks far outweigh the benefits. It is essential to prioritize your safety and well-being by avoiding these platforms altogether. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, seek help from a qualified healthcare professional or addiction treatment center.
