With the rise of the internet, buying drugs has become easier than ever. One popular method for purchasing illicit substances is through the dark web, a hidden corner of the internet where users can browse and buy goods anonymously. However, navigating the dark web can be tricky, and safety is always a concern. Here are some tips on how to safely purchase drugs on the dark web:
The prospect of solving illegal drug purchasing’s safety problem via online purchase seems pretty tempting. As noted above, you may think you’re anonymous, but you can make yourself visible to government and law enforcement monitoring. While most of the dark web operates under the radar, so to speak, government and law enforcement agencies around the world have also learned how to use the dark web. If you’re caught buying drugs on the dark web, you can face significant prison time. One of the main illegal activities carried out on the dark web is the online sale of black-market drugs.
1. Accessing the Dark Web
Virtual Services
Before you can begin browsing for drugs on the dark web, you will need to download a special browser that allows you to access hidden websites. The most popular browser for this purpose is Tor, which anonymizes your internet traffic and allows you to browse the dark web without leaving a trace. Simply download and install the Tor browser from the official website.
2. Finding a Reliable Marketplace
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Over the years, operators of several of the sites have fled with money and cryptocurrency given to them by users without providing the drugs. When you visit dark websites, you also open your computer to malware attacks, phishing attempts, and ransomware. Whether because of fentanyl adulteration or the present pandemic, buying drugs from the “dark web”—a term for sites in the unsearchable “deep web” part of the internet that require specific software to access—has never looked so appealing. Even if you still have a regular in-person dealer that you trust, they may not know what they’re selling, or, for that matter, be able to find a supplier whose gear isn’t compromised.
Once you have access to the dark web, you will need to find a reliable marketplace where sellers offer drugs for sale. Popular dark web marketplaces include Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Dream Market. Be sure to research these sites and read reviews from other users to determine which marketplace is the most trustworthy.
These dangers exist on the surface web as well; however, without illicit marketplaces that have built-in escrow and rating systems, there may be a higher likelihood of nondelivery schemes and phishing scams from websites on the surface web. Either way, it can be extremely risky for anyone to attempt to purchase controlled substances or unapproved drugs from the internet. Once on a dark web marketplace, users often maintain their anonymity by communicating through encrypted messages, making it difficult for anyone to intercept and read.
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3. Making a Purchase
When you have found a marketplace that you trust, it’s time to make a purchase. Most marketplaces on the dark web only accept payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. You will need to create a digital wallet and purchase Bitcoin from a reputable exchange before you can make a purchase. Once you have Bitcoin in your wallet, you can use it to buy drugs on the dark web.
Some offer to send empty packages to new customers, so they can check for signs of inspection. Smart buyers use the address of an inattentive or absent neighbour with an accessible postbox, and never sign for receipt. Unlike the original Silk Road, which banned the sale of stolen credit cards and weapons, Mr Van Buskirk said large dark web marketplaces have expanded their sales beyond illicit substances.
4. Staying Safe
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Drugs like heroin and cocaine already have established distribution and production channels that the web in its current form can’t disrupt. One beneficiary of White House Market’s decision to close up shop might be the newly rebooted AlphaBay, now run by the admin “DeSnake.” DeSnake was one of the admins for the original AlphaBay, but escaped prosecution. In a September interview with Wired, DeSnake wrote that he reappeared to re-establish AlphaBay’s popularity as the go-to online black market. But weeks into the market’s relaunch, AlphaBay was still struggling to attract users. Undeterred, in his interview, DeSnake says that dark web markets typically gain an influx of new users only after another popular market shuts down or is busted by law enforcement.
While buying drugs on the dark web can be convenient, it also comes with risks. To stay safe, never give out personal information to sellers and use a secure VPN to hide your IP address. Avoid using your real name or address when making a purchase, and use encrypted messaging apps to communicate with sellers.
Engstrom’s indictment, announced by the DOJ on Tuesday, also provides a window into how investigators trace even the most careful dark web transactions. Engstrom allegedly used a cryptocurrency-to-cash exchange called BitLiquid to convert his earnings to US dollars. He exchanged Monero for Paxos Standard, a type of tethered cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar, and then used BitLiquid to exchange that for cash. The DEA agents on Engstrom’s trail, meanwhile, used toll records to determine when Engstrom visited BitLiquid on his phone, and monitored the BitLiquid wallet for activity in those time frames. One transaction that lined up—an exchange of $37,000 in Paxos Standard for $36,900 in cash—automatically triggered a Currency Transaction report, or CTR, because it was over $10,000.
In conclusion
- Policy recommendations tailored to actual darknet market users should therefore be developed based on further research implemented in the communities of darknet markets.
- Still, the dark web’s present size reflects the current state of technology.
- By buying drugs on the dark web, you’re assuming all of the risks of federal drug trafficking charges.
- Participants pointed to the potential of new state task forces, which could share data, across organizations and jurisdictions, on the dark web.
- High-profile markets sometimes close overnight, and new markets surge to enormous levels of popularity in no time.
Buying drugs on the dark web can be a risky endeavor, but by following these tips, you can navigate the dark web safely and securely. Remember to do your research, use caution, and always prioritize your safety when making purchases online.
