Understanding the Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online
Fentanyl drug traffickers are sentenced in court last year in Xingtai in northeast China’s Hebei province. For example, a Fentanyl-laced Percocet M-30 pill can cost the buyer between $20 to $30 a pill. The seller will also feature Xanax, “MUHA MINIS”, which is lingo used for vape cartridges, starting at $40 a cartridge. The Philadelphia District Attorney and Pennsylvania Attorney General have publicly announced their own policies of declining to prosecute individuals possessing or distributing fentanyl test strips for harm reduction purposes. The CDC also announced earlier this year that federal funding may be used to purchase rapid fentanyl test strips. The Executive Order signed today represents the City’s agreement with these policies and a further step to support harm reduction strategies.
In recent years, the accessibility of various substances online has significantly increased. This has led to a rise in individuals seeking information on how to buy fentanyl online. However, it is crucial to understand the severe risks associated with this practice.
While websites like Flickr, Instagram, and Snapchat are not flagging the solicitation of drugs on their platforms, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Pinterest is making a concerted effort to flag such content. A representative admitted, however, that searches for fentanyl could return results. “It does happen that sellers and buyer create new ways to make deals on our site, but Weiku is not able to discover this right away.” The firm said it did weekly inspections. “As an information platform, Weiku needs to make sure all information is legal, but we are not accountable for the transactions,” it said. It found that while searching for “fentanyl” on the website returned zero results, the website offered related searches such as “Fentanyl,” or “Fentanyl patches”. Some of those advertising under these search categories had their accounts deleted, while others still sold the substances.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is used medically for pain management but has gained notoriety for its misuse and trafficking on the black market.
In another instance, we have identified on-chain payments between vendor clusters and suppliers of pill presses and dies – equipment needed for manufacturing precursors. This indicates that some vendors are directly involved in the manufacturing and supply, as well as onward distribution. One dark web marketplace – the since-retired “ASAP Market” – was particularly selective about enforcing its apparent “no fentanyl” policy. The image below shows a listing disguised as “synthetic China White”. Elliptic’s investigation into the role of crypto in the fentanyl trade has uncovered that these rules are often not strictly enforced.
Carry Naloxone
“About 90 percent of the pills that you’re buying from a dealer on social media now are fentanyl,” Mr. Gire said. Rather than dissolve all of the substance you want to test in water, just put ten milligrams of the drug in a clean, dry container. The tests are highly sensitive, so a minimal amount is needed to detect the presence of fentanyl.
With overdose rates extremely high, the need for quality substance use treatment is higher than ever. If you or a loved one find themselves in need of treatment, call Guardian Recovery today. Our admissions professionals are standing by 24 hours a day to help you determine the best path for you towards your recovery goals. Due to its synthetic manufacturing process, fentanyl carries a relatively standard level of potency. What determines the purity of the final product are the other substances mixed in with the fentanyl. The most common way to determine the potency of each substance is to use a small amount and see what effect it has.
This figure is particularly alarming because it can be difficult to distinguish genuine pills from fake or counterfeit versions. Check out the examples below to see how counterfeit pills can be designed to look just like genuine pharmaceuticals. While regular opioid users are at highest risk for overdose, consuming any form of fentanyl poses a significant risk for overdose. Because Fentanyl is strong and often hidden in other substances, accidental overdose can occur quickly and unexpectedly.
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online
The information on this blog may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, accurate, correct or up-to-date. Elliptic has amassed a comprehensive dataset of crypto wallets used by fentanyl dealers to facilitate this deadly trade. Our blockchain analytics engine Nexus can be used to trace the on-chain activities of these dealers – including money laundering or dark web activity. The Elliptic Investigator graphs shown above underscore these capabilities – allowing any associations between dark web markets or vendors with fentanyl suppliers to be unearthed with ease. This emphasizes how, in this instance, the transparency of cryptoassets can be used to identify activity that illicit actors may have gone to great lengths to conceal.
Purchasing fentanyl online poses multiple risks, including:
- Legal consequences: Buying or possessing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions.
- Health risks: Illicit fentanyl often contains impurities or is mixed with other harmful substances.
- Scams: Many online sellers may not deliver the product after receiving payment.
- Risk of overdose: The potency of fentanyl can easily lead to accidental overdose, potentially resulting in death.
Steps Involved in Online Transactions
- This month marks one year since Charlie Ternan, a 22-year-old, soon-to-be college graduate, was found unresponsive in his room after taking what he thought to be Percocet® to alleviate his back pain.
- The only way to be sure your fentanyl is real is to get it prescribed by a doctor.
- ASAP Market is not the only dark web marketplace to – supposedly inadvertently – facilitate the fentanyl trade.
If one still considers exploring online purchases, here are common steps that individuals might encounter:
- Conduct thorough research on websites that claim to sell fentanyl.
- Check for customer reviews and feedback to assess the legitimacy of the vendor.
- Assess payment methods; many illicit sites might require untraceable payments such as cryptocurrencies.
- Confirm shipping policies and delivery times, as legitimate operations usually have clear guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to buy fentanyl online?
No, purchasing fentanyl online from unregulated sources is extremely dangerous.
What are the legal implications?
Buying fentanyl without a prescription can lead to criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment.
How can I recognize a legitimate seller?
Legitimate sellers will have verified licenses, customer support, and clear policies regarding returns and refunds.
What should I do if I or someone I know is struggling with opioid use?
Contact healthcare professionals or addiction support services for guidance and support.
Conclusion
While the internet may offer a facade of convenience, the dangers related to buying fentanyl online are substantial. It’s essential to prioritize safety and legality over convenience. Seeking help from professionals is always the best option when facing substance-related issues.
