Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl Sales
Cybercrime investigators in Calgary, who, Lalande says, are “always working dark web files,” face many obstacles. The nature of the dark net forces even municipal police officers to work globally to trace shipments and financial transactions. “The drug trade is moving to the digital space, online, because of its anonymity and its ease of use,” Lalande says. Whistleblowers in government or industry who don’t want to be identified can use it to flag journalists to practices they see as immoral or illegal.
The emergence of darknet markets has significantly transformed the illegal drug trade, particularly in the distribution of fentanyl and its analogs. These markets operate on hidden online platforms, accessible only through specific software, allowing users to buy and sell controlled substances anonymously.
What are Darknet Markets?
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and multiple other law enforcement agencies to investigate Okparaeke’s case.
- Additional assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Rhode Island and the Southern District of Florida, the FBI’s Miami and Boston Field Offices, and the IRS-CI Cyber Crimes Unit.
- See, most Bitcoin exchanges are regulated and need to comply with local law.
- It funnels 80 percent of the drug through the San Diego border before dispersing throughout the U.S.
Darknet markets can be defined as decentralized platforms where users engage in the buying and selling of illicit goods. Some key features include:
It also signalled a new paradigm for drug markets that has since been emulated in other venues [14–16], one that emphasises information dense rationality in exchange [17]. Users of cryptomarkets often integrate drug-purchase and consumption repertoires across multiple sites, online and offline, and cryptomarkets can be one element. Cryptomarkets may provide new data sources which can inform our understanding of drug markets. The alarming spike in fentanyl deaths has prompted Republican demands that the Biden administration label the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and unleash the full force of the law against them. Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl were behind more than two-thirds of the deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Darknet market transaction volumes – excluding Hydra, the massive Russia-based market that was shut down by law enforcement in 2022 – have increased between June 2011 and March 2023.
The man also is charged with one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, court papers show.The man has been in federal custody since his arrest on May 4. The female defendant is expected to make her initial federal court appearance in the coming weeks. Each defendant also would face up to life in federal prison, prosecutors noted.
- Anonymous transactions: Utilization of cryptocurrencies for untraceable payments.
- Escrow services: Ensuring that funds are held until the buyer confirms receipt of goods.
- User reviews: Ratings and feedback mechanism to build trust among buyers and sellers.
The pandemic has affirmed and extended existing inequalities [59], and the digital market has contributed to that. Individuals who are more affluent and better connected have often continued drug consumption with little interruption. Those who do not have access to these distribution modes have often pursued shifting and sometimes predatory street markets. The impact of the darknet has to be fully seen in this context, as one component of an evolving social-technical infrastructure for drug distribution and consumption may include harm-reduction advice such as drug-checking services [60].
Financing The Government
Here is a screen shot of a minimum deposit requirement to join a dark web marketplace. The increased use of the dark web is also a boon to cyber extortionists, who feed off traffic to their data leak portals and work to build relationships with the mainstream media. It’s clear that criminal activity on the dark web continues to grow and thrive.
OxyMonster was already registered on Dream when all this went down with AlphaBay and Hansa. On May 12, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Holly Adams, 31, and Devlin Hosner, of Indio, California, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and with conspiracy to launder money. Adams and Hosner shipped these fentanyl pills to buyers throughout the United States, using the USPS, UPS, and other means of delivery. In the course of their conspiracy, Adams and Hosner finalized over 1,100 transactions of narcotics and other contraband and received more than $800,000 in cryptocurrency. Federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a hotel in Riverside county where Adams and Hosner were residing and recovered more than 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills as well as approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California is prosecuting the case.
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Numerous darknet markets facilitate the sale of fentanyl. Some notable platforms include:
- Silk Road 3.0: An evolution of the original Silk Road, this market features fentanyl among various drugs.
- Empire Market: Known for a wide range of illegal substances, including potent opioids.
- White House Market: This platform has gained attention for its array of high-risk drugs, with fentanyl being a prominent listing.
- DarkNet Heroes: A newer entrant, specializes in synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl.
Popular Forms of Fentanyl Sold
On these darknet markets, fentanyl is often available in various forms. Commonly offered formats include:
- Pills: Look-alike prescription medications that mimic legitimate pharmaceuticals.
- Powders: Pure fentanyl powder sold in small quantities, often touted for its potency.
- Laced products: Fentanyl mixed with other drugs, increasing the risk of overdose.
Risks of Purchasing Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
Acquiring fentanyl from darknet markets comes with significant risks, including:
- Overdose potential: Fentanyl is extremely potent; even a small miscalculation can lead to fatal overdoses.
- Legal repercussions: Buying illegal drugs can result in severe legal consequences if caught.
- Quality assurance: There is no guarantee of the substance’s purity or identity, leading to unexpected health risks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is purchasing fentanyl on darknet markets legal?
No, buying fentanyl from darknet markets is illegal and carries significant legal penalties in many jurisdictions.
2. How do darknet markets ensure anonymity?
Users typically utilize encryption tools like Tor for browsing and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin for transactions.
3. What precautions should users take when accessing darknet markets?
Users must employ VPNs, regularly change their online identities, and remain cautious about sharing personal information.
4. Why is fentanyl particularly dangerous?
Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, which heightens the risk of overdose and death.
In summary, darknet markets present a serious concern regarding the illicit sale of fentanyl. Increased awareness and understanding of these platforms are crucial for mitigating the risks associated with their use.
