The Deep, Dark Side Of Web! How People Are Getting Drugs, Guns Delivered At Doorstep
- Having previously not counted ‘crack cocaine’ separately, police have revealed they took 1,026.5 grams of the addictive drug off Plymouth streets over the past year.
- Because it is more difficult to access and entirely anonymous, the dark web is commonly used for black market transactions such as narcotics, weapons, human trafficking, and piracy.
- But unlike Walter White’s fictional operation, this one had a global presence, with vendors and buyers stationed all around the world, although most transactions were conducted in English.
- 45% of bitcoin sent into the dark web has come from a KYC-free exchange account.
Can You Buy Drugs on the Dark Web?
The dark web has gained notoriety for its alleged capabilities, including the controversial ability to purchase a range of illegal substances. The question that arises frequently is: can you buy drugs on the dark web?
Understanding the Dark Web
Police have noted a sizeable drop in the seizure of New Psychoactive Substances, formerly nicknamed ‘legal highs’, since they were made illegal. He highlighted one case where police were investigating a domestic abuser who was caught smoking cannabis. Det Con Rawlinson also warned cannabis smokers risked losing their driving licences and with it their job prospects by the casual spliff. “There is strong evidence that drug deaths have been linked to such purchases. “There’s also no way of knowing what drugs have actually been sent, either extremely high purity or very low purity or may relate to a totally different substance all together.
Check packages that come to the house, and don’t allow your teen to have their own Post Office box. If your teen asks about Bitcoin, find out what he knows about it and why he’s interested in it. The popularity of the “Dark Web” for purchasing illegal drugs is especially worrisome because it is increasing the availability and acceptability of drugs, according to an addiction psychiatry expert. For the first time, we’ve seen an illicit marketplace on the dark web regulating itself with safety in mind since marketplaces stopped taking listings for hitmen.
The sites have names like Evolution, Agora and Nucleus, where criminals can buy and sell all manner of illegal goods and services. The sites can attract hundreds of thousands of users, and pull in millions in monthly sales. Dark web sites use encryption software so their visitors and owners can remain anonymous—it’s why the dark web is home to so much illegal activity. Over 2.7 million active users browse the dark web every day, and many do so for legitimate reasons.
Cocaine, for instance, typically costs $63 a gram in the UK and more than $130 in Sweden. There can be large disparities in price within the same country or even the same city. A wide variation in purity is one reason, but so is an ill-functioning market.
American student, David – not his real name – explains why he chooses to buy illegal drugs on the so-called ‘dark web’. 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. The first thing that strikes you on signing up to Silk Road 2.0 is the choice. There were almost 900 vendors to choose from, selling more drugs than I’d thought possible. Heroin, opium, cocaine, acid, prescription drugs are all readily available.
The dark web refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. Access requires specific software such as Tor, which anonymizes user activity, making it difficult to trace actions back to individual users. This anonymity is the primary reason the dark web has attracted those looking to engage in illegal activities.
She’d just escaped an abusive relationship and lost most of her support network in the process. And despite being in psychiatric treatment, Marie didn’t feel as if she were improving. Nicholas Christin, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who conducted six months of research into the site, said that what surprised him most was how “normal” it was. “To me, the most surprising thing was how normal, when you set aside the goods being sold, the whole market appears to be,” he said. And, while many people would be alarmed at the prospect of their teenagers buying drugs online, Silk Road was a whole lot more professional, regulated and controlled than buying drugs offline. People wanting to access the darknet, often use Tor, Freenet and I2P (darknet software).
TOR is used for many other things, other than just accessing the dark web. And, while there are many bad things on the dark web, there are some good things as well. Police also took out a vital part of the dark web’s infrastructure, the information and review site Deepdotweb.com, arresting two suspected administrators in May in France and Israel, and seizing €7.5 million (£6.7 million) in bitcoins. The drip-feeding of small amounts of drugs across the country via the post poses a problem for police and Border Force, he said. Multiple law enforcement sources have told The Sun-Herald that about one in 10 deliveries is intercepted. Free samples of cocaine, MDMA and prescription medication were part of alleged dark web dealer Cody Ward’s business plan until he was arrested in February this year.
How Drug Transactions Occur
If you’re wondering can you buy drugs on the dark web, the short answer is yes. Here’s how these transactions typically occur:
- Accessing Dark Web Markets: Users must download Tor or similar software to access markets where drugs are sold.
- Creating a Digital Presence: Most platforms require users to create accounts, often using pseudonyms to protect their identity.
- Using Cryptocurrency: Transactions are usually conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which offer additional layers of anonymity.
- Selecting Products: Users browse listings similar to conventional online marketplaces, with various substances available for purchase.
- Reviewing Sellers: Just like eBay or Amazon, users can rate sellers, which helps in determining the reliability of the seller.
- Placing an Order: After selecting a product, the buyer places an order and provides a shipping address, typically using a code or alias to further protect their identity.
The Risks Involved
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing illicit substances is illegal and can lead to significant legal repercussions, including fines and imprisonment.
- Scams and Fraud: Many sellers are fraudulent, and buyers may never receive their products after payment.
- Quality Control: There’s no guarantee regarding the quality or safety of substances sold, which can lead to health risks.
- Law Enforcement Crackdowns: Authorities are increasingly monitoring dark web activities, leading to arrests and prosecutions.
FAQs
Can you get caught buying drugs on the dark web?
Yes, law enforcement agencies have advanced techniques to monitor and track dark web activities, including buying drugs.
Is it safe to buy drugs on the dark web?
No, buying drugs on the dark web poses numerous risks, including the potential for fraud, health issues from unregulated substances, and legal consequences.
What types of drugs can you buy on the dark web?
Various drugs are available, ranging from cannabis and psychedelics to synthetic opioids and more. However, the prevalence and legality vary by location.
Are there legitimate purchases on the dark web?
While most dark web activities are illegal, there are some forums and marketplaces focused on privacy-oriented services and products. However, caution and discretion are advised.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the question can you buy drugs on the dark web is answerable with a yes, but it comes fraught with risks and potential legal consequences. It’s essential to consider these factors seriously before engaging in such activities, as the implications could be life-altering.