Understanding the Dark Web: A Guide
Those unfamiliar with the dark web may wonder how it operates and whether it poses a greater threat in the opioid crisis than the surface web. LegitScript investigative analysts explored this issue earlier this year when we conducted in-depth research on dark web opioid sales on behalf of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP). Our investigation culminated in the report The State of Opioid Sales on the Dark Web. “HSI and our partners will continue to work tirelessly to keep deadly narcotics out of our communities, no matter where they are sold – on the street corner or from the virtual corners of the dark web.”
For over a year, Howell and Mower received kilogram-quantities of cocaine from a darknet cocaine supplier and then re-sold that cocaine to their own customers in Colorado and across the country via their own darknet vendor account. Together, Howell and Mower shipped nearly 50 kilograms of cocaine to their customers through the U.S. In addition, during this criminal activity, Howell stole the identity of another person and used it to, among other things, gain access to a TSA-controlled area of an international airport to board a flight to Denver. The first is that many dark web markets – though outwardly disassociating themselves from the fentanyl trade – continue to be either a willing or inadvertent intermediary for facilitating the purchase and sale of deadly opioids. 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. Class A drugs could be found on the site in seconds, luring people to use the chat function to order their narcotics.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines.
The 31 year old has not only used substances, but worked for years on the front lines of the deadly crisis in varying advocacy roles. The pair believes offering a clean supply is a viable solution to toxic street drugs. It helps users locate sites that have gone down — due to a DDoS attack or other event — and relaunched under new URLs. Other sites included in the search listings so far include Agora, BlackBank, Cloud-Nine, Evolution, NiceGuy, Pandora, and The Pirate Market.
It is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of drugs.
The most popular products for sale were stimulants, such as cocaine and crystal meth, which accounted for 20 per cent of sales. The researcher found about 95 sellers, or four per cent, indicated they shipped from Canada during the 12-month period. Canada had the sixth-highest proportion of dealers on the site (among those who specified a location), outpacing France, Spain and China.
This article provides an overview of the process of how to buy drugs from the dark web, along with essential precautions and considerations.
- FOX 5 spoke to an expert who is helping people decipher the drug deals that can turn deadly.
- On most legal web markets, offline and online payment alternatives are available to customers.
- “The Dark Web Interdiction Act would give law enforcement officers the resources they need to help combat the rising trend of dark web drug dealers who have used the platform as a way to peddle illegal drugs across the United States.
- 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.
- Officers’ suspicions were confirmed when they found $770 and 66 grams of cocaine and a small amount of ketamine for sale in his pockets – and kilograms of it inside his apartment.
I’m not trying to scare anyone, but you should all know where you’re going before you get there. Ms Aldridge points to “doxxing”—the release of personal details online—as one. An aggrieved (or opportunistic) vendor who thinks a customer’s review was unfair may publish the delivery address or threaten blackmail. On a forum, one user complains that he received a letter postmarked Hawaii saying that someone “has my info and he’s going to give it to the cops” unless five bitcoin ($1,217 at the time) are sent to an untraceable account. 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.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Drugs from the Dark Web
(Some people also seek fentanyl and there are vendors who openly sell it.) Still, my sources agree, unwanted fentanyl is found in lower levels in drugs bought online compared with street drugs. Under these provisions, a trafficable or commercial quantity of a drug is determined by the weight of the drug, rather than purity. This means that a person can be deemed to have intended to sell or supply a drug, even when the amount they possessed was quite small but it was diluted in a large amount of other material. But Hong Kong police seem to remain optimistic that they can remain on top of this new ground on which the war on drugs is being fought. They conduct “proactive cyber patrols of websites, discussion forums and social networking sites with a view to identifying drug trafficking activities via the web” and monitor the latest drug smuggling trends through intelligence gathering. Hopefully this will be enough to combat these sites, as the more convenient it is to purchase drugs, the higher the risk the community has of developing addiction.
How I Bought Drugs From ‘dark Net’ – It’s Just Like Amazon Run By Cartels
-
Accessing the Dark Web:
- Download and install the Tor browser, which allows users to access .onion websites.
- Ensure your internet connection is secure and private.
-
Finding Marketplaces:
- Utilize forums or guides to find reliable dark web marketplaces.
- Look for reviews and feedback from previous buyers to gauge trustworthiness.
-
Creating a Secure Wallet:
- Use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Monero for transactions.
- Set up a secure wallet to protect your funds before making a purchase.
-
Registering on a Marketplace:
- Create an account on the chosen marketplace with an alias for anonymity.
- Consider using a VPN to hide your IP address while browsing.
-
Searching for Products:
- Use search functions or browse categories to find the desired drugs.
- Review product descriptions and seller ratings carefully.
-
Making a Purchase:
- Choose the desired quantity and add it to your cart.
- Proceed to checkout and select your payment method.
- Provide a secure delivery address, if required by the seller.
-
Safe Delivery:
- Consider using a mailbox or temporary address to minimize risk.
- Be aware of potential law enforcement monitoring.
Precautions When Buying Drugs from the Dark Web
- Always conduct thorough research on sellers before completing a transaction.
- Be cautious of scams and overpayment; use only secure payment methods.
- Understand the legal implications of purchasing drugs in your country.
- Use cybersecurity measures to protect your identity and data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying drugs from the dark web legal?
In most countries, purchasing drugs is illegal regardless of the platform.
What payment methods are safe to use?
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Monero are commonly used due to their anonymity.
How can I ensure my safety while buying?
Utilize a VPN, secure your digital identity, and do not share personal information.
What should I do if I get scammed?
Contact the marketplace’s support if applicable, and report the incident to local authorities.
Conclusion
While this article outlines the process of how to buy drugs from the dark web, it is crucial to remember the legal risks and the potential for harm involved.
Stay informed and prioritize safety when navigating the complexities of the dark web.
