This could be a major problem for someone looking to get a quick fix, while avoiding withdrawal symptoms. However, experts have seen a recent uptick in people using the dark web, as the Coronavirus has swept across the globe. COVID-19 has certainly made it more difficult for some regular users to obtain the drugs they are addicted to. Manufacturing, supply chains and local dealer’s supplies have all been disrupted to some extent, due to the pandemic.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through traditional web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of drugs. But can you actually buy drugs on the dark web?
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and require special software, such as the Tor browser, to access. It is often used for illegal activities because of its anonymity and lack of regulation. The dark web is a small part of the deep web, which is the portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines.
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Drugs on the Dark Web
All of this can be done from the comfort of their own home, to which their drugs can be delivered in discreet packaging a few days after their order has been placed. Over the last year or so, I have been purchasing most of my supply of drugs—including fentanyl, cocaine, Xanax, MDMA and ketamine—through a single special vendor whom a friend of mine found online and shared with me. I find this to be more reliable and safer, in terms of avoiding criminalization as well as the quality of the drugs, than buying from different people in person. The mortality rates from fentanyl consumption and increasing enforcement actions against dealers have even spooked many cybercriminals into steering clear from facilitating its trade. Dark web drugs market operators and vendors are aware of the increased law enforcement scrutiny and seizure efforts that arise from stocking fentanyl – resulting in many banning them outright.
Dark Net Markets Have Proliferated Since Silk Road
It is true that drugs can be bought on the dark web. There are numerous online marketplaces, known as “darknet markets,” that sell illegal drugs. These markets operate similarly to legitimate e-commerce sites, with buyers and sellers interacting through user accounts and leaving reviews for each other. Transactions are typically conducted using cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, to maintain anonymity.
- Because illicit drug dealers on the internet likely cannot avoid using traditional shipping methods to deliver goods to customers, shipping is a key vulnerability that law enforcement may exploit to track down dealers.
- An example is Operation Bayonet, in which law enforcement agencies took over an entire darknet market and obtained user data, thus effectively reducing the activity of vendors and customers (Bradley & Stringhini, 2019).
- On balance, anybody thinking of buying drugs from the dark web might come to the conclusion that doing so will be just as risky as scoring on a street corner or nightclub toilet.
- So once you know the person behind the address, illicit transactions can easily be traced back to the buyer or seller.
Is it Safe to Buy Drugs on the Dark Web?
It is not just a criminal domain, either – the dark web has proved a crucial tool in concealing the identity of political campaigners living in countries with oppressive governments. Although all the vendors use pseudonyms, for fairly obvious reasons, they keep the same fake name to build up a reputation. “What we’re doing isn’t about scoring drugs or ‘sticking it to the man’,” said Dread Pirate Roberts in the Forbes interview. “It’s about standing up for our rights as human beings and refusing to submit when we’ve done no wrong.” The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Wang is in charge of the prosecution and Assistant United States Attorney Madeline O’Connor and Brendan King of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section are handling forfeiture matters.
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Buying drugs on the dark web is not without risks. Law enforcement agencies regularly monitor darknet markets and make arrests. Additionally, there is always the risk of receiving a fake or contaminated product. It is also important to note that buying and possessing illegal drugs is a criminal offense in most countries.
Alternatives to Buying Drugs on the Dark Web
That’s why in 2018, most of the online drug deals reported by the Global Drug Survey were happening on the dark web. Crystal Blockchain also notes funds moving between different markets are also on the rise, indicating darkweb users might be trying to hide their bitcoin within the darkweb. In total, the value of bitcoin sent and received from KYC exchanges also more than doubled between 2019 and 2020 from $36 million to $73 million.
There are safer and legal alternatives to buying drugs on the dark web. Many countries have programs that allow individuals to obtain certain drugs, such as medical marijuana, with a prescription from a licensed physician. Additionally, there are numerous organizations that provide information and resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse issues.
Conclusion
While it is possible to buy drugs on the dark web, it is not a safe or legal option. There are numerous risks associated with buying drugs online, including the risk of arrest, receiving a fake or contaminated product, and breaking the law. It is always best to seek out safe and legal alternatives to buying drugs, such as obtaining a prescription from a licensed physician or seeking help from a substance abuse organization.
FAQs
- What is the dark web? The dark web is a portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. It is often used for illegal activities due to its anonymity and lack of regulation.
- Can you buy drugs on the dark web? Yes, there are numerous online marketplaces on the dark web that sell illegal drugs. However, buying drugs on the dark web is not safe or legal.
- Is it safe to buy drugs on the dark web? No, buying drugs on the dark web is not safe. There is always the risk of arrest, receiving a fake or contaminated product, and breaking the law.
- Are there alternatives to buying drugs on the dark web? Yes, there are safer and legal alternatives to buying drugs on the dark web, such as obtaining a prescription from a licensed physician or seeking help from a substance abuse organization.
All of these market place websites have since been shut down but new ones have emerged to replace the inexorable demand by consumers for illegal drugs. In 2013 the FBI and the Department of Justice shut down Silk Road, the biggest online distributor of illegal drugs. The mastermind behind the website, Ross Ulbricht (also known as Dread Pirate Roberts) has now been sentenced to life in prison. As soon as the original Silk Road was taken off, Silk Road 2.0 and other sites emerged to take its place and since then there has been a huge increase in online underground drug markets.
