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Understanding the Darknet
Data suggests that almost 40 percent of the revenue from drug sales on the dark web is from marijuana. The next most popular drugs, making up about 30 percent of sales, are stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines. Perhaps it won’t be Silk Road 2.0, or even Tor Hidden Services that transform the drugs trade. Dark net markets make drugs more available more easily, and that’s nothing to celebrate. It will, I suspect, tend towards higher levels of use, which — legal or illegal — creates misery. Law enforcement agencies around the world — but especially in the US — have started to take a keen interest in what takes place in this strange encrypted internet and are certainly getting better at infiltrating and shutting down these sites.
For police, they pose a challenging front in the fight against the opioid crisis. Workshop participants reported a sharp increase in crime brought to their attention with a dark web element, and according to one reported study[2], total monetary losses from internet-enabled crime was estimated at more than $1.4 billion in 2016. The dark web’s anonymity not only encourages illegal activities, it keeps many law enforcement agencies largely unaware of its existence, even while their jurisdictions are impacted by online transactional crimes. The anonymity of illicit activity on the dark web cloaks an enterprise of mounting concern to authorities. One site alone generated an estimated $219 million in annual revenue as of 2017, according to a new NIJ-supported report by the RAND Corporation (RAND).
The darknet refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It is often accessed using specific software, configurations, and authorization. Among its many uses, it has gained notoriety for facilitating illegal activities, including the purchasing of drugs.
How to Access the Darknet
Lalande says this work has led to arrests, such as that of a 39-year-old Calgary man who faces a dozen drug trafficking charges, among other offences. Lalande says media attention that follows dark net busts appears to fuel public interest and likely drives up traffic on the remaining sites. Dream Market and other sites like it are likely helping fuel the deadly fentanyl crisis that has rippled across the country, says Sgt. Mike Lalande of the Calgary Police Service, who investigates cybercrime. Liam gets his fix from a site called Dream Market, a one-stop shop for drugs. “If [there is a risk] my family finds out about my addiction, yeah, I’d probably rather overdose….
Though volumes observed by Elliptic are comparatively insignificant to other facets of the global fentanyl trade, the failure of dark web markets to enforce their own rules raises the risk of them becoming a key facilitator in the future. Drugs used by students and more affluent people are a more natural fit. Quartz’s intern claimed many drugs at his university were sourced on the web. When I was in college, most students bought recreational drugs from fellow students who were both bold and industrious enough to interact with real drug dealers. But the extent of their dealing was limited to other students and not very profitable. Now that kid down the hall who deals drugs may get his supply online instead of braving the in-person market.
- With more intense pressure from law enforcement, being extorted by other threat actors, and changes in personal circumstances, it’s clear that many dark web market admins and owners feel the risks are too great.
- One survey respondent explains they only purchase from sources on social media that their friends have already had successful transactions with.
- Dark web users refer to the regular web as “Clearnet” due to its unencrypted nature.
- In the wake of Hydra market’s collapse in 2022, new markets quickly swooped in to try and replace it.
- Law enforcement agencies around the world — but especially in the US — have started to take a keen interest in what takes place in this strange encrypted internet and are certainly getting better at infiltrating and shutting down these sites.
Prior to, but in support of Operation Dark HunTor, Italian authorities also shut down the DeepSea and Berlusconi dark web marketplaces which boasted over 40,000 advertisements of illegal products. Four alleged administrators were arrested, and €3.6 million in cryptocurrencies were seized in coordinated U.S.-Italian operations. Although darknet marketplaces have a tiny share of the overall illegal drug-market pie, their very nature could make them tougher to crack, as we saw in the “Fentmaster” case.
Using the postal system, Chris mailed MDMA – in liquid, tablet and powdered form – cocaine and ketamine in huge quantities to buyers all over Australia and the world. Police believe he began his operations in Australia via the import of liquid MDMA, due to the perceived large amount of money to be made. Although all the vendors use pseudonyms, for fairly obvious reasons, they keep the same fake name to build up a reputation. There’s also a repository of material you can’t find on the surface web, from rare books to political news and whistleblowing sites. Many people the world over have the need for an anonymous channel of communication due to the censorship in place in some countries.
To begin your journey on the darknet, follow these steps:
However, it’s worth noting that law enforcement agencies have seized some of these marketplaces, along with cash-laundering sites like Cash Flow, Cash Machine, Golden Nugget, and Fast Cash. As a result, it can be difficult to find trustworthy URLs for these market services. Nevertheless, Fail is a reliable resource that lists URLs for market services and is hosted on the Tor network as a hidden service, making it more challenging for authorities to identify the owners.
- Download TOR Browser: This is the primary tool for accessing the darknet. It anonymizes your browsing by routing your connection through multiple servers.
- Install a VPN: Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) adds an additional layer of security by masking your IP address.
- Access .onion sites: Only specific websites with the .onion domain can be accessed through the TOR Browser.
Searching for Drugs
Once you have access to the darknet, you can start searching for drugs. Follow these guidelines:
- Use trusted marketplaces: Some popular darknet marketplaces include Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Dream Market.
- Read reviews: Many vendors have reviews and ratings. Take time to read them to ensure you are buying from a reputable source.
- Search categories: Navigate through categories related to substances you are interested in.
Making a Purchase
To successfully purchase drugs on the darknet, consider the following steps:
- Create an account: Many marketplaces require you to create an account before making purchases.
- Fund your wallet: Most transactions are done using cryptocurrency like Bitcoin to ensure anonymity.
- Select your product: Once you find the desired product, add it to your cart.
- Complete the transaction: Follow the marketplace instructions to finalize your purchase securely.
Safety and Precautions
Engaging in transactions on the darknet involves risks. Here are some safety measures:
- Use a pseudonym: Never share your real identity.
- Be cautious with your payments: Always use cryptocurrency and avoid revealing personal information.
- Do not share personal experiences: The less you share about your activities, the better.
FAQs
Is it illegal to buy drugs on the darknet?
Yes, purchasing drugs is illegal in most jurisdictions, and engaging in such activities may lead to serious legal consequences.
How can I ensure my safety while browsing?
Use a reliable VPN, access only trusted sites, and maintain anonymity by avoiding personal information sharing.
What cryptocurrencies should I use?
Bitcoin is the most commonly used cryptocurrency, but others like Monero offer additional anonymity features.
Can I get scammed?
Yes, there are many fraudulent vendors. Always check reviews and follow best practices for safe transactions.
What should I do if I have a bad experience?
Report the vendor and the site to the respective marketplace’s support team. Always prioritize your safety and well-being.
