“It’s Just As Easy As Amazon”: Students Shop For Drugs On ‘Dark Web’
Understanding the Darknet
The darknet represents a concealed segment of the internet that requires specific software and configurations to access. Unlike the surface web, where sites are indexed by search engines, the darknet operates on anonymity and privacy.
Although dark web search engines exist, they find it hard to keep up with the continuously shifting landscape. Grams was an early example, now superseded by Kilos, a search engine offering almost 70,000 listings from 7 different marketplaces. This virtual trade in narcotics encompasses just about any drug you can think of, from Quaaludes and fentanyl to more workaday choices like weed, cocaine, and meth. Where once this marketplace was entirely criminal, the modern version has the focus firmly placed on convenience.
Furthermore, all marketplaces accept forms of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. This digital currency allows buyers to pay while maintaining a degree of privacy protection. Holding payment in escrow often has the added benefit of “tumbling” or “mixing” digital currency; this is a form of money laundering that severs the connection between a cryptocurrency address sending coins and the address to which they are sent. The World Wide Web is made up of the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. The surface web (also called the clear web and the open web) is what most of us navigate when we check social media, shop online, or read the news. Websites on the surface web are publicly accessible and indexed by search engines such as Google and Bing, permitting internet users to search for them.
For lawyers, journalists and researchers, the dark web can provide a wealth of metadata about virtually any subject or person, all of which can be searched with a guarantee of freedom and privacy. Lawyers gathering information for evidence in litigation cases can find a host of resources leading to unpublished court cases and documents that could help them win legal battles. On the other hand, criminals can use the dark web for a vast variety of illegal activities, including the marketing of weapons and drugs. Worse still, payments for all items are done through Bitcoins, an online peer-to-peer currency which is mostly untraceable. Arda is a Senior Crypto Threat Analyst at Elliptic with a focus on crypto-based terrorist financing, dark web vendors, NFTs and DeFi-related crime. He is also a PhD researcher and guest lecturer at the Dawes Centre for Future Crime at University College London (UCL), focusing on the money laundering and terrorist financing risks of emerging technologies.
The Silk Road defined its name based on the historical network of trade routes between Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, and Europe. And although the Silk Road hasn’t operated for years, it laid the foundation for other darknet markets to follow. Today, the Silk Road is an important case study when analyzing the growth of other dark web markets. Silk Road was a notorious cyber black market for illicit goods, and the first dark web market of the internet era.
“If you’re buying a TV or you’re buying a video game … you can check reviews for that item,” he says. “You can go through the vendor’s page and check all of his or her reviews as well…. When a new seller comes along, he’ll look at reviews online, both on the dark and open web. Liam says he was drawn to the dark net in part because of the wide selection and the anonymity.
“There’s a shift from the old way of the drug trade to more of a modern, technological and digital era of selling drugs.” In Calgary, police say it’s difficult to pinpoint how many drug users are flocking to the dark net — and how much they’re buying — because the markets change constantly. 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. Periodically one disappears following a police raid, sparking panic and worry among the community of users.
Another suspicious pattern occurs when change from a bitcoin transaction is sent to a different account than where the payment originated from. With investors like Jim Breyer and Erik Prince, it’s no wonder big business is flocking to Wickr. Though use of disappearing messaging apps is technically legal, Uber came under fire because companies also have an obligation to preserve records that may be seen as relevant to any future litigation.
Accessing the Darknet
Unlike many people who buy drugs on the dark web for similar reasons, I buy from my vendor on the regular internet, through encrypted apps. This cuts out the dark-web market “middle man” taking a percentage from both myself and the seller. I thought it might be worth explaining, for the benefit of people who use drugs and are either unable to access the dark web or want to avoid the extra costs.
To begin exploring the darknet, here are essential steps:
- Download Tor Browser: This is the most common method to access darknet sites. Tor is designed to help users browse the internet anonymously.
- Install and Configure: Follow the instructions carefully to ensure maximum security and privacy while using the Tor network.
- Know the URLs: Darknet sites typically use .onion domains and are not easily accessible through traditional browsers.
Safety and Security Measures
Safety is paramount when navigating the darknet.
- Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network can add an extra layer of security, making it harder for anyone to trace your activities.
- Secure Your Device: Keep your operating system and antivirus updated to protect against malware and other vulnerabilities.
- Enable Privacy Settings: Adjust your Tor browser settings to enhance privacy features, such as disabling scripts and third-party cookies.
How to Buy Drugs on Darknet
The process of purchasing drugs from the darknet involves multiple steps. This guide outlines a methodical approach:
- Finding Marketplaces: Research and locate darknet marketplaces where drugs are listed. Popular marketplaces often include user reviews and ratings.
- Creating an Account: Once a marketplace is chosen, create an account while maintaining anonymity. Use a strong password and possibly an anonymous email service.
- Using Cryptocurrency: Most transactions are conducted with cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. Set up a wallet to hold your funds securely.
- Searching for Products: Navigate the marketplace and utilize search features to find specific drugs. Thoroughly read product descriptions and vendor ratings.
- Placing an Order: When you’ve selected your product, follow the marketplace’s steps to place an order. Ensure that you double-check the payment address.
- Communicating with Vendors: If necessary, discretely communicate with vendors for any queries regarding the products.
- Delivery and Shipment Options: Choose a delivery method that minimizes risk. Package concealment is crucial for avoiding detection.
FAQs
Is it legal to buy drugs on the darknet?
Purchasing drugs on the darknet is illegal in most jurisdictions and carries severe penalties. Engage only with full awareness of your local laws.
- Similarly, the emphasis on the number of transactions a given vendor completes in recent literature (Munksgaard et al., 2022) could justify adding a dedicated factor measuring its importance.
- In addition to testing Hypotheses 1 and 2, it should be highlighted that reliable delivery of goods (TF 18) and vendor reliability (TF 2) were ranked at the top.
- Even as WHM facilitated the sale of illegal drugs and other items, the site admins also abided by and enforced their own brand of ethics.
- On Sept. 29, 2021, Le pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, Ketamine and Alprazolam (Xanax).
How do I ensure safe payments?
Use reputable cryptocurrency platforms and ensure you understand transaction practices to avoid scams.
What precautions should I take?
Prioritize your anonymity by using VPNs, encrypted communication methods, and avoiding sharing personal information.
What are the risks associated with buying drugs on the darknet?
Risks include legal consequences, scams, low-quality products, and potential health hazards from unknown substances.
Conclusion
Exploring the darknet to purchase drugs is fraught with risks and legal implications. The importance of anonymity, security, and awareness of local laws cannot be overstated for those who choose to engage in such activities.
