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NCB Busts One Of India’s ‘largest’ Drug Trafficking Networks Operating Over Darknet

Darknet Drug Trafficking: A Growing Concern

The Dark Web Down Under: What’s Driving The Rise And Rise Of NZ’s ‘Tor Market’ For Illegal Drugs?

Since the infamous dark web drug marketplace Silk Road came on the scene, practically all these illicit transactions are now handled with crypto. Search engines devoted to drugs like Cannahome list tens of thousands of substances across multiple marketplaces. Authors of the University of Texas study found almost 250,000 listings related to opioids on dark marketplaces, with darkmarkets over 28,000 product listings for opioids. As you would expect, a sprawling and unregulated marketplace like this attracts legions of scammers and con-artists, which have been the downfall of many darknet marketplaces. Online drug marketplaces seem to have started around 2011, when Silk Road disrupted the way people buy drugs, shifting from dark alleys to the dark web.

• The impact of the darknet has to be fully seen in this context, as one component of an evolving social-technical infrastructure for drug distribution and consumption may include harm-reduction advice such as drug-checking services [60].
• In one case highlighted by DOJ, a Florida man was sentenced to 16 years in prison late last year after it was revealed that he and his co-conspirators had a list of more than 6,000 darknet customers to whom they trafficked fentanyl, heroin and meth.
• It also has its own forum with the same name for discussions between buyers and sellers.

SALT LAKE CITY — When police dismantled Silk Road, the first Dark Web market to sell drugs, in 2013 prosecutors hoped the life sentence handed down against Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht would deter copycats. A Phoenix, Arizona, couple pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute multiple controlled substances including heroin, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl over the darknet. They were able to match vendor accounts to individuals selling illicit goods on other marketplaces, some still active and some not. Notably, the growing tensions between Solaris and WayWay have also been heating up as claims of possible money theft from Solaris appear the same month (December 2022), which later have been disputed by Solaris Administrators and interpreted as “geopolitical” and “fake”. According to them, their marketplace is completely safe and they spent significant financial means to maintain the infrastructure, but competitors and other malicious parties attempted to abuse their reputation. Same time, Solaris has also announced a significant upgrade to their payment system and blocked all payouts for 2 days around the same time which may confirm some activities behind the scenes, likely related to improvements of security of the marketplace.

Darknet drug trafficking is a growing concern in today’s digital age. The darknet, a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and how to browse the dark web inaccessible through standard web browsers, has become a hub for illegal activities, including the sale and distribution of drugs.

The Rise of Darknet Drug Trafficking

Specialized dark web explorers (GRAMS, DuckDuckGo, Ahmia, Torch, Hidden Wiki, etc.) enable them to access their desired market platforms. The goods bought on the various darknet marketplaces are then typically paid for in cryptocurrencies, most notably bitcoins, which are also used for licit transactions on the open web. These cryptocurrencies can subsequently be used to buy other goods and services, or they may be exchanged for various national currencies. As much as effective changes in the operation of the drug market, cryptomarkets have been part of a generation shift towards PWUD integrating drug-purchase and consumption repertoires across multiple platforms, online and offline, of which cryptomarkets can be one element. They also emphasise innovation taking place in other related technological domains. Televend is an example of an automated system that uses the Telegram app to mimic some attributes of cryptomarket systems [50].

The use of the darknet for drug trafficking has risen in recent years due to the anonymity and secrecy it offers. The darknet is accessed through special software, such as the Tor browser, deep web sites which allows users to remain anonymous and untraceable. This has made it an attractive platform for drug traffickers, who can sell their products without fear of detection.

For operations security he suggests avoiding storing conversation logs, varying writing styles, avoiding mobile phone-based tracking and leaking false personal details to further obfuscate one’s identity. In recent years, new platforms have emerged that criminals have co-opted, with perhaps Telegram being the most notable example. Telegram is a free, open-source, cloud-based instant messaging platform that has gained huge popularity as people want privacy-focused communications. Of course, it’s a completely legitimate app offering end-to-end encrypted messages and calls so that ISPs and other third parties cannot access the data. As per the report, Hydra, a market that serves only Russian-speaking countries, is the largest darkweb market operating via crypto so far. In 2021, Hydra accounted for 80% of darknet market revenue worldwide, in terms of cryptocurrency.

Buying drugs online allows consumers to order from a smorgasbord of narcotics, delivered to the door via the postal system. From opioids and marijuana to crack, heroin, and fentanyl, it’s a porous buyer’s market. In the intricate web of the internet, the Darknet has emerged as a clandestine realm fostering illicit activities, with India experiencing the surge of a shadowy drug trade. Federal investigations and prosecutions are being conducted in more than 30 federal districts. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) have vowed to relentlessly pursue anyone involved in the distribution of fentanyl.

According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the darknet is now responsible for a significant portion of global drug trafficking. The report states that the darknet accounts for an estimated 10% of all drug transactions worldwide, with the majority of these transactions involving cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

The Dangers of Darknet Drug Trafficking

Darknet drug trafficking poses a significant threat to public health and safety. The drugs sold on the darknet are often of poor quality and can be laced with dangerous substances. This can lead to serious health consequences for users, including overdose and death.

In addition, darknet drug trafficking can also fuel addiction and drug-related crime. The anonymity of the darknet makes it easy for drug traffickers to target vulnerable individuals, such as minors and those with existing drug addictions. This can lead to an increase in drug-related crime, such as theft and violence, as users seek to obtain more drugs.

Combating Darknet Drug Trafficking

Combating darknet drug trafficking requires a multi-faceted approach. Law enforcement agencies must work to shut down darknet marketplaces and prosecute those involved in drug trafficking. This can be challenging, as the darknet is constantly evolving and