The datasets generated by the survey research and analyzed in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. District Court Judge William J. Martinez on November 22, 2019, to 51/2 years in prison and 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Howell’s co-defendant, Cavin Mower, 44, was sentenced by Judge Martinez on September 5, 2019, to 4 years, 2 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering. Bernardo Pulido admitted selling pills containing fentanyl to an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Dylan McMikle admitted selling fentanyl to a 25-year-old Sikeston man who died later that day.
The dark web has gained a reputation for being a hub for illegal activities, including the sale of drugs. But can you really buy drugs on the dark web? The answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as it may seem.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, making it difficult to access without specialized software. It is often associated with illegal activities due to its anonymity and lack of regulation. However, it is also used for legitimate purposes, such as protecting the privacy of activists and journalists in repressive regimes.
Background On Dark Web Marketplaces
The products and services category includes trust factors regarding products. Legal web markets often use the price comparison function to allow customers to compare prices with other online markets. Displaying discount prices or waiving shipping fees can act as a marketing ploy. Another trust-building factor is offering a wide range of products so that customers can choose between, for example, goods of lower or higher quality or from various manufacturers. The importance of weight, value, potency, purity, and price of drug products was highlighted by previous darknet studies as well (Bancroft & Reid, 2016; Munksgaard et al., 2022). Great efforts have been made by federal officials to shut down major online marketplaces.
Drugs on the Dark Web
The Pitfalls Of Buying Online
Drugs are indeed sold on the dark web. There are numerous marketplaces where buyers can purchase a wide variety of substances, from marijuana to prescription medication. However, there are several risks associated with buying drugs on the dark web.
- Through our integrated treatment programs, we’ve helped thousands of people choose recovery over addiction and get back to life on their own terms.
- Navy as a network of servers that allowed people to anonymously read the internet.
- Although all the vendors use pseudonyms, for fairly obvious reasons, they keep the same fake name to build up a reputation.
- Buyers got what they were given, with little idea of what their pill or powder had been diluted with by the time it had reached the end user, or whether another product had been substituted entirely.
Quality and Purity
That’s when Freenet, a peer-to-peer sharing network focused on anonymity, was launched. Just like when navigating the surface web, the dark web has similar risks that should be taken into account when protecting your personal information. The names of dark web pages are unusual, too, and can make it difficult to find them.
It is impossible to know the quality or purity of the drugs being sold on the dark web. Buyers have no way of verifying the authenticity of the products they are purchasing, and there have been numerous reports of counterfeit drugs being sold. This can lead to serious health risks for the buyer, as they may be unknowingly ingesting dangerous substances.
These pages are not indexed by search engines and are protected behind security walls, authentication forms, and passwords on the deep web. Silk Road and more recently AlphaBay – the biggest dark web marketplaces for drugs – were shut down by police investigations. At the time of its closure, Silk Road processed around $15 million transactions a year.
Legal Risks
Our Customers
Buying drugs on the dark web is illegal and can result in severe consequences. Law enforcement agencies have been cracking down on dark web marketplaces, and buyers can face charges of possession, distribution, and even trafficking. Additionally, many dark web marketplaces are scams, and buyers may lose their money without receiving any drugs in return.
Security Risks
The dark web is not a safe place to conduct any kind of transaction. It is rife with hackers and scammers who are looking to steal personal information and money. Buyers may be at risk of having their identities stolen or their computers infected with malware. Additionally, the use of cryptocurrency for transactions on the dark web can be traced, making it possible for law enforcement to track down buyers.
Drugs Arrive By Mail, ‘very Discreetly’
Conclusion
Taking any unknown drugs is dangerous, but even more so when they come from the dark web. The main reason for the online price premium, though, appears to be that dark-web drugs are of higher quality. If you order from someone with thousands of reviews you are unlikely to get a poison in place of a psychedelic, explains a regular buyer of LSD.
While it is possible to buy drugs on the dark web, it is not recommended due to the numerous risks associated with it. Buyers may be putting their health, freedom, and personal information at risk. It is always best to seek out legitimate sources for medication and to avoid engaging in illegal activities.
