The Sale Of Fentanyl Is Spreading So Rapidly On The Dark Web, Researchers Are Worried It Will Be Difficult To Stop
In 2016, Chinese customs agents seized 70 kilograms of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl in a cargo container that was bound for Mexico. A 2006 overdose outbreak in Chicago led back to a fentanyl lab near Toluca, Mexico, where one of the operators told authorities he’d bought NPP from a Chinese company. The drug has been found hidden inside shoes, in a passenger bus, and in numerous cargo parcels at the Tijuana airport.
Understanding the Darknet: What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl
Veteran crime fighters know that in many cases old fashioned “gumshoe” tactics are needed to make arrests. That kind of on the ground legwork by police and federal agents is what led to the Midway Airport arrests and fentanyl seizure. And while fentanyl is currently the primary problem for federal agents, not all drug deals move through the dark web. This week’s accumulated seizures of drugs, high velocity weapons and arrests of nearly 300 people on three continents makes the worldwide bust the largest-ever targeting fentanyl and opioid trafficking. This week federal law enforcement took down hundreds of darknet traffickers around the world and a pair of accused dealers traveling through Midway Airport. Researchers said the study was limited because they were unsure what proportion of AlphaBay’s sales were Pharma-Master’s, adding that Pharma-Master “may have been atypical,” because most online drug sellers are “small and short-lived.”
Discover how our inspectors are using data, forensics, and citizens’ tips to protect Americans and apprehend opioid dealers who send illegal drugs through the mail. Angerer understood that every time you took down a criminal marketplace, another would spring up in its place. DarkMarket had flourished in large part because Wall Street Market had been crushed.
From May 2020 to April 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died from a drug overdose, with over 64 percent of these deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its analogs. “There are also drug users on the dark web who say on forums that they don’t think it’s right that people are selling fentanyl because it is dangerous and kills a lot of people,” O’Brien said. Inspired by the work [36] investigating the supplier migration phenomenon between underground marketplaces, we also evaluated the migrant suppliers who, for the first time, began to trade in a new market, m’, after the closure of marketplace m. To this end, we first collected the marketplace’s lifespan using the Gwern archive [37], as shown in Table 1, and then compared the supplier lists in each marketplace to investigate supplier migration. In addition, we observed that 10 and 9 suppliers in Apollon and Empire, respectively, migrated from Agora 3 years after it shut down.
- With their help, the mastermind behind this new marketplace was arrested, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison.
- It also seemed to be an area where any disputes between users of the site could be dealt with and sorted out.
- Eliminating the price incentives consumers and distributors face to substitute fentanyl for other opiates will save lives.
- Including on the darknet, drug users across the EU spend more than £26bn on illicit substances each year.
In 2013, a polyglot group of programmers and hackers, under the leadership of an eccentric fifty-three-year-old Dutchman named Xennt, moved into a Cold War-era bunker near the picturesque town of Traben-Trarbach, in the Mosel Valley. The bunker had previously belonged to the German military, and it was designed to withstand a nuclear attack. Xennt, who had a lifelong fascination with underground fortresses, lived in the bunker. Inside the bunker, Xennt’s team installed servers that hosted dark-Web sites trading illicit products and images, including terrorist material and images of child abuse. Gal had no idea the feds were onto him and just how much they had traced back to him.
The darknet refers to a portion of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It often requires specific software such as Tor to access, creating a layer of anonymity for users. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has become prevalent in these hidden markets, leading to severe health crises globally.
The Rise of Fentanyl Sales on Darknet Markets
Pooling their resources and manpower, they were using everything available to them to make a serious impact. A month later in mid-February, the Dream Market started to have problems. Finally, on May 2, 2023, the DOJ and J-CODE announced the successful results of Operation SpecTor, an internationally-coordinated operation formed to disrupt illegal drug trafficking on darknet markets. Operation SpecTor led to a record-breaking 288 arrests and seizures of 64 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances, plus $53.4 million in cash and cryptocurrency.
There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Dark web market rules prohibiting the sale of fentanyl on their platforms. The two shipped controlled substances nationwide through the United States Postal Service, and attempted to disguise the controlled substances within packages amidst dollar-store goods, such as children’s stickers, beads, birthday cards, and seasonal gift items. At times, the controlled substances were hidden inside of toy packaging.
Over recent years, the sale of fentanyl on darknet markets has surged dramatically. This increase is attributed to several factors:
- High Demand: The opioid crisis has created a vast underground market for potent opioids like fentanyl.
- Easier Access: Individuals can procure drugs anonymously, often with minimal effort.
- Cost Efficiency: Fentanyl is cheaper to produce than other types of narcotics, making it appealing for dealers.
Types of Products Sold
Darknet markets feature a variety of fentanyl products, including:
- Pills: Fake prescription pills often containing fentanyl are among the most common products.
- Powder: Pure fentanyl powder can be purchased, which is primarily intended for illicit use.
- Blends: Some products are mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of overdose.
How Darknet Markets Operate
Understanding how these markets function is crucial for addressing the issue:
- Listings: Vendors create listings showcasing their products, often featuring enticing images and descriptions.
- Payment Methods: Most transactions are conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to provide anonymity.
- Ratings and Reviews: Users can leave feedback on sellers, which influences future purchasing decisions.
Risks Involved
Engaging with darknet markets comes with significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing illegal substances can lead to criminal charges.
- Health Risks: Fentanyl has a high potential for overdose, especially when sourced from unreliable vendors.
- Scams: The anonymity of these sites can attract fraudulent sellers and scams.
FAQs About Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
1. What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than morphine. It is often used medically to treat severe pain but has a high potential for misuse.
2. Is buying fentanyl on the darknet safe?
No, buying fentanyl on the darknet is highly unsafe due to the risk of overdose, legal repercussions, and scams.
3. How can users identify trusted vendors?
While feedback systems exist, the inherent risks of trust and verification are significant. It’s difficult to guarantee product safety and legitimacy.
4. Are there alternatives to darknet markets for obtaining pain relief?
Yes, consulting a healthcare professional for legitimate medical advice is the safest and most effective method for pain management.
Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of darknet markets and the sale of fentanyl is essential for mitigating risks associated with opioid misuse and protecting public health.
