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We’ll give you a snapshot into these online marketplaces, but first a few words on opioids, the cause of current concern in the wake of recent research. The drug trade has always been a concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide. With the advent of technology, the drug trade has shifted to the darknet markets, where transactions are done anonymously. The dark web drug trade has become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies as it is difficult to detect and track these transactions.
Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl
Sharing intelligence and coordinating with authorities overseas, 275 more mailings were seized, all containing illegal drugs or controlled substances – leading to the seizure of one kilogram of fentanyl. This bust alone could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives – because a lethal dosage of fentanyl can be as low as 2 milligrams. Miami Postal Inspectors uncovered a large drug trafficking operation that shipped thousands of drug parcels across the country, including deadly fentanyl, using the dark web. Deputy Chief Inspector Delany De Leon-Colon details how Postal Inspectors, alongside federal partners, identified the individuals responsible and brought them to justice. For the first time, FBI agents from all the bureau’s field offices also visited buyers to tell them about the overdose danger of pills sold online, which are often disguised to look like prescription drugs.
The term darknet markets refers to online platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of illegal goods and services, often using cryptocurrencies for anonymous transactions. One of the most concerning products available on these markets is fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Fentanyl is known for its potency, being up to 100 times stronger than morphine, which makes it both highly desirable to users and extremely dangerous.
While historically there used to be things like E-gold and Liberty Reserve, something is far better than that now; cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are the perfect way to pay for things on the dark marketplaces. It’s easy to get, it’s legal to own, transactions are pretty quick, low fees, and it’s completely anonymous.
- People living in authoritarian regimes may use it to avoid detection while some access it to avoid having their internet use tracked.
- In this section, we will explore different perspectives on the future of narcotics in darknet markets and provide insights into the possible scenarios that may unfold.
- If you have a good story idea or tip, you can reach him by email at or on Twitter @ReidSouthwick.
“Since their inception, dark web markets have continued to evolve and they present unique problems to law enforcement agencies,” Professor Broadhurst said. However, when law enforcement subsequently shutdown Wall Street – a market which accounted for the majority of fentanyl listings - it also resulted in vendors moving elsewhere to list their products. Dark web takedowns by cross-border law enforcement operations have a significant impact on the availability of opioids, in particular the lethal drug fentanyl, according to a new report from The Australian National University (ANU). The use of postal and parcel services to transport drugs has expanded rapidly in the past two years, posing added dilemmas for law enforcement agencies. Shaughnessy was caught through an undercover operation by Homeland Security, according to the DOJ.
USPIS is working with CBP and foreign postal operators to ensure Advance Electronic Datainside barcodes is on all inbound mail. The detailed information in AED, like full names andaddresses, weight, date, and more can be instantly captured in both outgoing and incomingprocessing centers. DarkMarket also advertised itself as being the only such site administered exclusively by women. This was an intriguing boast—a prosecutor told me it was made to gain users’ trust—but it was untrue.
In February, the DEA took a swing at the whole fentanyl family by controlling any substance with a similar chemical makeup. “Obviously, there’s lots of money to be made in this,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Hobson, who prosecutes fentanyl traffickers in San Diego. If it is in pill form, 1 kilogram of pure fentanyl can be made into 1 million pills containing 1 milligram of fentanyl each. Sell each pill for $10 to $20 a piece on the street and that is a $10 million to $20 million product. One kilogram of pure fentanyl from China, costing about $3,300 to $5,000, can be turned into a diluted powder sold on San Diego streets at a $300,000 value, according to the DEA. “The guy who is addicted to heroin has no idea what he’s getting, he just knows he’s getting that same feeling,” said Dean Kirby, a senior forensic chemist at the DEA lab in San Diego.
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Several darknet markets have become well-known for the sale of fentanyl and its analogs. Some of these markets include:
However, a number of vendors in the UK also sell fentanyl, a powerful painkiller 50 times stronger than heroin. Some UK-based fentanyl vendors recruit criminals in other countries where they enjoy large customer bases to sell the dangerous opioid on their behalf, according to the report. Pharma-Master sustained a sales growth rate of approximately 15% per week, the study found. Increasing order sizes by a factor of 10 reduced the price per pill by approximately 25% for oxycodone and 50% for Xanax, which the organization also sold.
- AlphaBay – After its revival, AlphaBay has reinstated a variety of opioid products, including fentanyl.
- Silk Road 3.0 – A successor to the infamous Silk Road, it offers a range of narcotics, including fentanyl.
- Dream Market – Known for a wide range of illicit drugs, fentanyl is frequently listed.
- Empire Market – A popular platform where users can find fentanyl in various forms.
- Darknet Heroes – Specializes in harder-to-find substances, including potent fentanyl analogs.
By August 2017, the DEA were following up on this tip jar Bitcoin wallet that OxyMonster was so keen to advertise. While Bitcoin is supposed to be anonymous, if you follow it closely enough, you can sometimes figure out who owns a wallet. But just as dark markets have evolved, so has the technology checking out Bitcoin. Recent estimates put the cryptomarkets as a substantial but definite minority of the drug market overall, worth around €750,000 Euro per day for sites serving European locations [21]. The Global Drug Survey records steady growth in use among its respondents, from 4.7 in 2014 to 15% in 2020 obtaining at least some of their drugs from darknet sites in the previous 12 months [22]. Products sold range widely, with an emphasis on cocaine, cannabis, novel psychoactive substances, sedatives and stimulants.
Forms of Fentanyl Available on Darknet Markets
On these markets, fentanyl can be found in several different forms, appealing to various user preferences:
- Powdered Form – Often cut with other substances and sold in small quantities.
- Pills – Counterfeit pills that mimic prescription opioids.
- Fentanyl analogs – Variants of the drug that may be legal or less detectable in certain jurisdictions.
- Liquid Fentanyl – Offered in vials and primarily used for illicit intravenous use.
Cracking Hollywood’s Dark Web Market
Risks Associated with Purchasing Fentanyl from Darknet Markets
Buying fentanyl from darknet markets comes with substantial risks:
- Drug Quality – The lack of regulation means products can be adulterated or contaminated.
- Legal Consequences – Purchasing illegal drugs can result in severe legal penalties.
- Health Risks – Fentanyl overdoses can occur quickly and without warning, leading to death.
- Scams – Users may encounter fraudulent sellers or products that do not match descriptions.
FAQs About Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
1. Is fentanyl legal to buy on darknet markets?
No, purchasing fentanyl or any controlled substance from darknet markets is illegal in most jurisdictions.
2. How do people pay for fentanyl on these platforms?
Most transactions occur using cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Monero, to maintain anonymity.
3. Are darknet markets safe?
While some users believe they can operate anonymously, the risks of scams and law enforcement actions are significant.
4. What should I do if I suspect someone is using fentanyl?
If you suspect someone is using fentanyl, it’s essential to encourage them to seek help and consult a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
Darknet markets pose a serious threat to public health, particularly with drugs like fentanyl being readily available. The combination of high potency, risk of overdose, and legal consequences creates a dangerous environment for users. Education and awareness are critical in combating the spread and misuse of such substances.
