The Dark Net And Drugs
Understanding the Darknet
The darknet is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Accessing the darknet can expose users to numerous risks, including legal repercussions and potential scams.
Le and, allegedly, his co-conspirators then processed and manufactured those controlled substances at an office space Le rented in Stoughton. To distribute the drugs, Le created and operated a vendor site called “EastSideHigh” in markets on the Dark Network, more commonly known as the Dark Web. The Dark Web is any portion of the internet that can only be accessed with specific software, configurations or authorization that anonymize internet traffic. Le used these Dark Web markets to advertise various drugs for sale, including cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine and Xanax.
Interventions should then be integrated into a comprehensive drug policy framework that includes other elements, such as targeted harm reduction and treatment. Examples include the sale of high-quality products with low risk for contamination (including lacing and cutting), vendor-tested products, sharing of trip reports, and online discussion of harm reduction practices. The empirical research findings of this study have provided lessons that can be used in the design of future criminological research and the strategic planning of criminal policy. The main contribution of this research is the development of the trust matrix, which can enhance criminological research on how trust works in darknet transactions. Based on the results, the developed trust metric can be further extended and queried among actual darknet market users.
By offering so many options, these sites also just make it easier for psychonauts to explore what’s out there. Brian, a writer, harm reduction supporter and avid drug consumer in his 60s, hasn’t ever bought directly from the dark web. Before the United Kingdom, where he lives, banned “legal highs” in 2016, he would purchase spice, mephedrone, kratom, salvia and psychedelics from specialty websites. He began doing this after the law cracked down on brick-and-mortar headshops. To this day, he still orders nitrous oxide from cream charger companies.
The biggest takedowns in terms of volume – Silk Road, AlphaBay and Wall Street – have been police-led, but in 2018, the EMCDDA published a study which found that, of the more than 100 markets, just 10 percent closed as a consequence of overt police action. If the surface web is the tip of the iceberg and the deep web is what’s below the water, then the dark web is what you’ll find deep in the blackest waters below. The darknet refers to the peer-to-peer network itself, whereas the dark web is the content that is served up on these networks. And with the rise of bitcoin, the “currency of choice” on the dark web, virtually anonymous payments are easier than ever.
The Risks Involved
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. The vendors’ role in production may be what drives the relatively high margins on these drugs. It would also explain why, according to the Global Drug Survey and Christin’s research, they are the largest share of the dark-web market. The nature of these particular drugs and their relatively tech-savvy customer base could mean their sales move from being mainly street-based to being mainly online. They observed that most vendors are casual dealers, selling relatively small amounts, and spend only a few months on a site.
While a number claim to sell “fentanyl-free” dope, reviews indicate that they’re lying. (Some people also seek fentanyl and there are vendors who openly sell it.) Still, my sources agree, unwanted fentanyl is found in lower levels in drugs bought online compared with street drugs. Purchasing from drug dealers or strangers, for example, came with it much higher chances for both (35 percent and 15 percent, respectively). Even transactions facilitated by friends were deemed more risky than buying drugs on the dark web (14 percent and 6 percent, respectively). For over a year, Howell and Mower received kilogram-quantities of cocaine from a darknet cocaine supplier and then re-sold that cocaine to their own customers in Colorado and across the country via their own darknet vendor account.
Engaging in activities like how to buy drugs on the darknet carries significant risks, such as:
The lack of technical knowledge and the assessment of other elements of anonymity and encryption suggest that risk perception related to data loss can be effectively influenced in the study’s target population. 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). Informing potential users that their identity is not completely hidden, even when purchasing on the darknet, may also impact their perception of risk. The target group of the research, composed of potential customers, ranked the reliable delivery of goods (TF 18) as the most important trust factor when buying illicit drugs on the darknet. Although this survey study was not conducted among actual darknet market users, our findings and its extensive support by previous literature suggest that delivery issues indeed drive the recent stall in the volume of the darknet drug trade.
- Legal consequences, including criminal charges and imprisonment.
- Potentially dangerous interactions with untrustworthy sellers.
- Exposure to scams and loss of money.
- Risk of malware and hacking.
Preparation Steps
Before considering how to buy drugs on the darknet, it is essential to take precautions to protect your identity and privacy.
1. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN helps anonymize your online activity, making it harder to trace back to your real IP address.
2. Download Tor Browser
The Tor Browser allows users to access the darknet by routing their connection through multiple servers, ensuring privacy.
3. Create a Secure Email Address
Use encrypted email services to create a new address that doesn’t link back to your personal information.
4. Utilize Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin provide an additional layer of anonymity when transacting on the darknet.
Finding Marketplaces
Several marketplaces exist on the darknet where drugs can be purchased. Here’s how to effectively find them:
- Use darknet forums and communities to gather recommendations.
- Check marketplaces through links provided on trustworthy forums.
- Look for reviews and ratings of sellers and marketplaces.
Steps to Buy Drugs on the Darknet
Once you’re prepared and have found a marketplace, follow these steps:
1. Register on a Marketplace
Create an account on the chosen darknet marketplace by providing an anonymous username and password.
2. Browse and Select Products
- Law enforcement agencies around the world — but especially in the US — have started to take a keen interest in what takes place in this strange encrypted internet and are certainly getting better at infiltrating and shutting down these sites.
- Regarding policy implications, the findings suggest that emphasizing the risks that consumers are exposed to concerning theft, fraud, fake sites, and products could facilitate crime prevention.
- I wanted the ounce so bad that getting scammed out of $300 was worth the risk—because what if it did actually arrive in the mail?
- Drugs may be adulterated, counterfeit, or possibly made by amateurs out of their homes using substandard equipment.
Search for the desired products by category or use the search function in the marketplace.
3. Evaluate Sellers
Before making a purchase, check the seller’s reputation, transaction history, and reviews from other users.
4. Make Your Purchase
Select the product, specify the quantity, and proceed to checkout. You will typically need to pay using cryptocurrency.
5. Provide a Shipping Address
For physical shipments, you might want to use a fake name and address or consider using a mail forwarding service to protect your identity.
FAQs
What is the darknet?
The darknet is a part of the internet that is only accessible through specialized software, often used for both legal and illegal activities.
Is it safe to buy drugs on the darknet?
No, buying drugs on the darknet involves significant risks, including legal issues and potential scams.
What payment methods are accepted?
Most darknet marketplaces accept cryptocurrencies as payment, which provides anonymity.
Can I get caught buying drugs on the darknet?
Yes, law enforcement agencies actively monitor darknet activities, and purchasing illegal substances can lead to arrest.
Are there alternatives to the darknet for buying substances?
Legal alternatives exist, such as prescription medications. Always consider the legality and safety of your options.
