Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl Distribution
A new Reddit policy meant its content violated their rules and the subreddit had been removed. But the Dread forum was still up since it’s a forum on the darknet and more posts from mods started showing up there. They said Dream was rebuilding and would be opening again soon as a new dark market. While everyone was waiting for this new Dream Market to appear after Operation SaboTor, the feds got another win, [MUSIC] this time involving big-time vendors on Dream. Just nine days after Operation SaboTor was announced, on April 4th, three men were arrested in New Jersey. Chester, Jarrette, and Ronald had been operating two storefronts on the Dream Market under the name sinmed.
The rise of darknet markets has facilitated the illegal sale of numerous substances, including opioids. One of the most concerning substances traded is fentanyl. This potent synthetic opioid is often linked to numerous overdose deaths, raising significant public health concerns.
- These drug markets are clandestine dispensaries of illicit and dangerous substances that are sold in exchange for cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin.
- Liam says he takes drugs to medicate the effects of childhood trauma (he was beaten by one of his parents, he says) but that he’s seeking help.
- But the criminal organization came crashing down following an undercover investigation in which agents spent thousands of dollars on drugs and started following packages and payments, according to court documents unsealed earlier this week.
- All of the pills tested positive for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, according to a press release last week from the U.S.
Elliptic researchers conducted blockchain analysis to examine the network cryptocurrency addresses those companies shared with prospective customers. The researchers estimate that those addresses received just over $27 million in transactions in the past five years, most since 2021, given that transactions have increased 450 percent in the past year. Chainalysis, using its own methodology, put the number higher, at $37.8 million over the last five years. But the companies warn that these estimates are likely just a fraction of a larger crypto-fueled fentanyl supply chain—and the retail value of fentanyl produced with those precursors is probably thousands of times greater, in the tens of billions of dollars. In addition to the aforementioned entities, Du Changgen owns Hanhong Pharmaceutical Technology Co., LTD (湖北翰弘化工有限公司) (Hanhong Pharmaceutical), which is directly and indirectly linked to multiple Syndicate members.
We found evidence through extensive analyses of the anonymous online market of pervasive supply, which fuels the international opioid epidemic. Nontraditional methods, as presented here by studying the online supply chain, present a novel approach for governmental and other large-scale solutions. When interpreted by professionals, our initial results demonstrate useful findings and may be used downstream by law enforcement and public policy makers for impactful structural interventions to the opioid crisis. Although a large body of current research is focused on pathways for treatment of opioid use disorder and analyzing deaths per treatment capacity of substance use providers, these research areas are limited to the demand side of the opioid epidemic [40,41]. We believe that the findings and pattern analyses presented here, which place concentration on the supply side, might suggest a new direction to focus and will serve as a useful complement to current research conducted within the domain of addiction medicine. They might start feeling nauseous and sweating and chills, and vomiting and anxiety, and they crave their medication again.
[MUSIC] Now, when you buy drugs on Dream Market, you send your Bitcoin to an escrow account. This is an extra layer of security so that the vendor doesn’t know what the buyer’s Bitcoin address was and the buyer doesn’t know what the vendor’s Bitcoin address was because you don’t want the feds to know your Bitcoin address because they might have ways to track it. The feds wanted more info on OxyMonster so they watched this post on these forums.
The DEA contacted Homeland Security Investigations and asked for their help. The plan was to detain Gal at the airport while he was going through customs. They were going to tell him this is a routine check on all digital devices that he had with him. HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S.
The internet is a modern bazaar [3] of drug-selling modes, expanded psychoactive repertoires [4] and places of community harm reduction, which revise dominant narratives of drug use and PWUD [5]. These are specialised markets hosted anonymously using the Tor darknet [6]. Tor is an internet service which protects those who use it from monitoring and promotes anonymity through data routing and encryption. It also permits services to be hosted anonymously, using what are called onion or location-hidden services.
But just as dark markets have evolved, so has the technology checking out Bitcoin. Recent estimates put the cryptomarkets as a substantial but definite minority of the drug market overall, worth around €750,000 Euro per day for sites serving European locations [21]. The Global Drug Survey records steady growth in use among its respondents, from 4.7 in 2014 to 15% in 2020 obtaining at least some of their drugs from darknet sites in the previous 12 months [22]. Products sold range widely, with an emphasis on cocaine, cannabis, novel psychoactive substances, sedatives and stimulants. Most illicit drugs are available in some form, but the product balance tends towards the ‘psychonaut’ profile, those who use drugs for self-exploration [23]. Alongside that, there are many self-identified dependent and addicted PWUD who find the predictability, professionalism and stability of supply a significant benefit [24].
What Are Darknet Markets?
Darknet markets are online platforms that operate on the dark web, allowing users to buy and sell illegal goods anonymously. These markets are accessed through specific software that ensures user privacy and anonymity, making them particularly attractive for illegal activities.
What Do Darknet Markets Sell?
While a variety of illicit goods can be found on these platforms, some of the most commonly sold items include:
- Drugs: Includes everything from marijuana to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
- Stolen data: Such as credit card information and personal identification documents.
- Weapons: Firearms and other dangerous items may also be available.
- Counterfeit goods: This includes fake designer items, medications, and more.
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Specifics on Fentanyl Sales
When it comes to fentanyl, darknet markets typically feature several types of products:
- Pure fentanyl powder: Often sold in small quantities, allowing users to experiment with dosage.
- Fentanyl-laced pills: These may resemble prescription medications but contain dangerous doses of fentanyl.
- Fentanyl analogs: Various chemical variants of fentanyl that may differ in potency and effects.
Risks Associated with Purchasing Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
Purchasing fentanyl from darknet markets carries various risks, including:
- Legal repercussions: Involvement in illegal drug purchases can lead to severe legal consequences.
- Health risks: The potency of fentanyl and its analogs means that misuse can result in fatal overdoses.
- Fraud: There is a high risk of being scammed, with buyers receiving fake products or nothing at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain. However, it is often manufactured illegally and sold on the darknet.
Why is fentanyl so dangerous?
Due to its high potency, fentanyl can cause overdose and death even in small amounts. It is significantly more potent than morphine and heroin.
How are darknet markets accessed?
Typically, users need specific software, such as Tor, to access darknet markets securely and anonymously.
What can be done to combat the fentanyl crisis?
Efforts include increased law enforcement actions, public education on the risks of opioid misuse, and expanding access to treatment for substance use disorders.
Conclusion
The question of what darknet markets sell fentanyl highlights a critical issue in public health and safety. Awareness and education are essential in addressing the dangers posed by these substances, as well as the means by which they are distributed.
