Understanding the Dark Web and Drug Trade
Drugs on the darknet have a better reputation regarding cleanliness (Bancroft, 2017; Munksgaard et al., 2022), and some form of harm reduction also derives from the communities formed around darknet markets (Aldridge et al., 2018; Szigeti et al., 2023). Policy recommendations tailored to actual darknet market users should therefore be developed based on further research implemented in the communities of darknet markets. Interventions should then be integrated into a comprehensive drug policy framework that includes other elements, such as targeted harm reduction and treatment.
Is It Illegal To Access The Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines, making it a hub for various illicit activities, including the sale of drugs. The question that often arises is: can you still buy drugs on the dark web? Despite law enforcement agencies’ efforts to curb these activities, the landscape of the dark web remains adaptable.
Still, wherever you have anonymous traffic on hidden networks, the criminal activity will follow. The deep web refers to any part of the internet that isn’t discoverable by a search engine. But that doesn’t mean it’s suspicious — there are plenty of sites you visit in your day-to-day browsing that fall into this category. The Department of Law worked with representatives from Meta, Snapchat and TikTok to compile the report, as well as law enforcement, public health experts and harm reduction advocates.
Current State of Drug Sales on the Dark Web
Silk Road operated via a hidden darknet feature in the anonymous Tor network. Accessed with an app, the Tor network allowed users to anonymously browse Silk Road without the threat of traffic monitoring. All transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency — namely Bitcoin — which further ensured anonymity.
As of now, the dark web continues to provide platforms where users can purchase a wide array of drugs. Here are some significant points regarding the scenario:
- Availability: Various marketplaces still offer drugs for sale, ranging from common substances like cannabis and cocaine to more obscure drugs like research chemicals.
- Reducing Marketplaces: While some marketplaces have been shut down, new ones frequently emerge, showcasing the resilience of this underground economy.
- Cryptocurrency Use: Most transactions occur using cryptocurrencies which add a layer of anonymity for both buyers and sellers.
- User-Generated Reviews: Buyers often rely on reviews and vendor ratings to ensure the authenticity and quality of the products they purchase.
And cryptomarkets themselves have suffered distributed denial-of-service attacks, in which a website is brought down by a flood of bogus page requests. These may be orchestrated by rivals who want to grab market share, says James Martin, a cryptomarket expert at Macquarie University in Australia, just as offline gangs engage in turf wars. A study by Energy Control, a Spanish think-tank that asked volunteers to send samples of dark-web drugs for testing, confirms the existence of this quality premium.
With so much money floating around these sites — dealers can make good money without leaving home — some vendors try to game the review system. Common tricks include creating fake accounts from which to post positive feedback; writing bad reviews of competitors; and even paying others to give favourable write-ups. They sit on an encrypted part of internet called “Tor Hidden Services” where URLs are a string of meaningless numbers and letters that end in .onion, and are accessed using a special browser called “Tor”.
Until we get that, finding trusted unregulated vendors is the best we can do. We drug users need to share information about sources as much as possible to help each other through this ongoing crisis of drug poisoning deaths. It’s important to point out however that as long as the dark web provides an outlet for anonymously trading in illicit goods, malware, and stolen data, dark web marketplaces will continue to emerge and flourish. The emergence of Telegram as a new dark web frontier also partly explains the revenue reductions in traditional dark web marketplaces.
Legal and Safety Concerns
Engaging in transactions on the dark web poses several risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing drugs is illegal in most jurisdictions, and participating in these transactions can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Potential Scams: The risk of scams is high; buyers may end up receiving counterfeit drugs or nothing at all.
- Health Risks: Drugs obtained from the dark web lack regulation, posing significant health risks due to the potential for contamination or misidentification.
FAQs
Can you still buy drugs on the dark web?
- In 2023 the dark web has over 2.5 million daily visitors, and it’s estimated that more than half of those visitors have participated in illegal activities.
- Of the 65,000 people buying drugs on the dark web, the average age was 21, with the majority being male.
- Investigations have highlighted the sale of substances such as prescription medicine, recreational drugs, and stupefying substances – more commonly known as ‘date rape’ drugs.
- At the time of its closure, Silk Road processed around $15 million transactions a year.
Yes, drugs can still be purchased on the dark web, although the number of available marketplaces fluctuates due to law enforcement actions.
What types of drugs are available?
A wide variety of drugs are available, including traditional narcotics, synthetic drugs, and experimental substances.
How do transactions work on the dark web?
Transactions typically involve using cryptocurrencies for anonymity, and they often include buyer reviews and escrow services for security.
What are the risks involved?
- Legal issues from purchasing illegal substances.
- Scams that can result in losing money without receiving products.
- Health risks from unregulated and potentially dangerous substances.
Final Thoughts
The ongoing ability to buy drugs on the dark web underscores the complexity of the issues tied to illegal drug sales. While the platforms and the nature of transactions may evolve, the dark web remains a significant challenge for law enforcement and a concern for public health and safety. Caution is advised for anyone considering engaging in such activities.
