Understanding the Cost of Drugs on the Dark Web
Recent years have witnessed the trend of studying opioid use disorders using anonymous marketplaces and forums data [5,8,10] and public social media data (eg, Twitter and Instagram) [11-14]. Gilbert et al [15] described changes in the conceptualizations, techniques, and structures of opioid supply chains and illustrated the diversity of transactions beyond the traditionally linear conceptualizations of cartel-based distribution models. Dasgupta et al [18] collected opioid listings on Silk Road to analyze the prices of diverted prescription opioids.
“What we need to come to grips with is addiction is a disease and no life is disposable,” remarked Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey and former chair of the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission, during a New Hampshire townhall meeting in November 2015. “It can happen to anyone and so we need to start treating people in this country, not jailing them.” Mass incarceration leaves a heavy burden on both the federal and state government’s budgets. The Prison Policy Initiative, a think tank and criminal justice advocacy group, found that 1 in 5 currently incarcerated people in the U.S. are locked up for a drug offense.
Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Feb 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Feb 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. Drugs.com is the most popular, comprehensive and up-to-date source of drug information online. Providing free, peer-reviewed, accurate and independent data on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines & natural products. Others, like Paul Larkin, a senior legal research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative policy think tank, remain more cautious when it comes to changes in our drug policy.
The opioid commodity with most listings across different marketplaces was #4 White Vietnamese Heroin, which can be found in the marketplaces Agora, Evolution, Hydra, and Pandora. In her paper, Tzanetakis said that other studies have suggested that most users of dark net markets are men in their early to mid-20s who either work or are studying at the post-secondary level. They’re largely occasional or recreational drug users, though some have potentially problematic addictions, she wrote. One study, published by the International Journal of Drug Policy, scrutinized lab results of more than 200 samples of drugs that were purchased on so-called cryptomarkets and collected by a Spanish NGO from 2014 to 2015. The study found more than 90 per cent of the samples contained the drugs they were sold as, and that most samples were of high purity.
The dark web has gained notoriety for its illicit activities, including the sale of various types of drugs. One of the most common questions people have regarding these transactions is how much do drugs cost on the dark web? The prices can vary significantly based on numerous factors, including the type of drug, quality, supply chain, and vendor reputation.
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- For instance, the G20 and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have both called for cryptocurrency companies to provide information on buyers and sellers in transactions conducted online.
- In August, Vice took a deep dive into the underground sites to see how they operate.
- While stricter regulation has not wiped out the fentanyl-related industry in China, it has made it more difficult for illicit vendors to operate.
Into The Web of Profit, a 2019 study, indicated that 60% of all dark web listings could be harmful to enterprises. A separate criminal complaint was also unsealed today, charging Irvin Hernandez with being a member of the same door-to-door drug delivery conspiracy. “There should be a greater recognition of this because patients could be addicted to substances that doctors know nothing about.” In another instance, we have identified on-chain payments between vendor clusters and suppliers of pill presses and dies – equipment needed for manufacturing precursors.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Drugs
Data Mining The Dark Web For Cocaine
Our goal here was to identify anonymous forum posts with the topics of opioid commodity promotion (eg, listing promotion) and review (eg, report fake opioid vendors). We then analyzed these forum posts to profile underground opioid trading behaviors. The most popular products for sale were stimulants, such as cocaine and crystal meth, which accounted for 20 per cent of sales. AlphaBay, which police allege was founded by a Canadian, was home to nearly 2,200 vendors with about 12,000 drug listings, according to Tzanetakis, who used a web-scraping tool to extract data from the site. Still, the study’s authors cautioned they could not confirm whether their results would closely mirror what users would typically find on dark web markets. Liam knows what he’s doing is dangerous, but he is addicted to drugs and hides his dependency from family and many of his friends.
She also recommends anyone who uses drugs or knows someone who does, to carry multiple doses of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone (name-brand “Narcan”). Patrick Shortis, a criminologist at the University of Manchester specialising in darknet markets, said these services will stabilise the illegal ecosystem. “Customers can search multiple markets for an item, and verify vendor IDs on Recon. They also provide historical, reputational protection to vendors when markets go down.” Analysis by VICE News, EU agencies and tech firms reveal that, boosted by coronavirus panic buying, online sales of cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and mephedrone are all flourishing at, or above, prior averages. On the most popular global market, Empire, where many retailers offered lockdown deals, business has been especially brisk, with thousands of positive reviews about drug quality and speed of delivery. Since Measure 110 went into effect on Feb. 1, 2021, law enforcement across the state has issued more than 4,700 violations to people with personal possession of drugs, such as meth or heroin, the two most common drugs cited.
Several key factors determine the pricing of drugs on the dark web:
- Type of drug: Different drugs come with different price tags. For example, opioids may cost more than marijuana.
- Purity: Higher purity levels can command higher prices. Buyers often seek a balance between quality and cost.
- Vendor reputation: Established vendors with positive reviews often charge more due to their reliability and consistent quality.
- Supply and demand: Fluctuations in availability due to law enforcement actions or market changes can impact prices.
- Location: Shipping and regional availability can affect the total cost for the buyer.
Typical Prices for Common Drugs
Here’s a general overview of the typical costs of various drugs found on the dark web:
- Marijuana: $10 – $300 per ounce, depending on quality.
- Cocaine: $60 – $150 per gram, with variations based on purity.
- MDMA: $20 – $40 per pill, depending on size and purity.
- Heroin: $100 – $300 per gram, significantly impacted by the source.
- Prescription drugs: $5 – $50 per pill, heavily relying on the drug’s market availability.
Additional Costs to Consider
When purchasing drugs on the dark web, additional costs may include:
- Shipping fees: Vendors may charge extra for shipping, especially for discreet delivery methods.
- Escrow fees: Some marketplaces use escrow services, which can add a small cost to the transaction.
- Cryptocurrency transaction fees: Buyers must factor in potential fees when using cryptocurrencies for payment.
Risks Involved in Dark Web Purchases
The dark web poses significant risks for buyers, including:
- Legal consequences: Purchasing illegal substances can lead to criminal charges.
- Quality control: There’s no guarantee of product quality, and users may receive counterfeit or contaminated substances.
- Scams: Some vendors may be fraudulent or disappear after payment, leaving buyers without their products.
FAQs About Drug Prices on the Dark Web
What is the most commonly sold drug on the dark web?
Marijuana is often among the most commonly purchased drugs due to its wide availability and lower legal risk compared to harder substances.
How can I find reliable vendors on the dark web?
Buyers often check forums, reviews, and vendor ratings to identify trustworthy sellers. Engaging with the community can provide valuable insights.
Is it safer to buy drugs on the dark web than on the street?
While some believe the anonymity offered by the dark web reduces physical risks, the potential legal issues, quality concerns, and scams can make it unpredictable and unsafe.
In summary, how much do drugs cost on the dark web? Prices vary widely based on numerous factors, but buyers must weigh the financial costs against the potential legal and safety implications.
