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DAN KORN: KEEPING AHEAD OF THE PACK IN TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY
The dark web has long been associated with illegal activities, particularly the sale of drugs. However, with the increasing crackdown on these illicit markets, many are wondering if it is still possible to buy drugs on the dark web.
Lalande says this work has led to arrests, such as that of a 39-year-old Calgary man who faces a dozen drug trafficking charges, among other offences. Dream Market and other sites like it are likely helping fuel the deadly fentanyl crisis that has rippled across the country, says Sgt. Mike Lalande of the Calgary Police Service, who investigates cybercrime. In a recent scan of the site, Dream featured roughly 1,000 listings for drugs that ship within Canada, ranging from opium, morphine and fentanyl to ecstasy, ketamine and date-rape drugs. Liam gets his fix from a site called Dream Market, a one-stop shop for drugs. “If [there is a risk] my family finds out about my addiction, yeah, I’d probably rather overdose…. As you surf, you’ll probably notice that dark website addresses end with the .onion extension rather than the traditional .com, .org, .edu, etc.
What is the Dark Web?
The platform takes around 15 minutes to set up and it decreases dark web investigation time by 10x. But it is hackers demanding ransom money, not police, that’s the main worry for those operating DNMs, says Patrick Shortis. “The biggest source of disruption to markets is currently coming from the ongoing distributed denial of service [DDOS] attacks that have knocked markets and forums offline intermittently over the last few months,” he says. One Bristol-based darknet customer told me how he reacted when Dream and WSM closed. “I found URLs for Empire and Nightmare in then minutes, and then I found my usual vendor and scored ten tabs of LSD and 7g of MDMA ready for Glastonbury.”
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It requires the use of special software, such as the Tor browser, to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities due to its anonymity and lack of regulation.
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The Decline of Dark Web Drug Markets
You can install the TOR browser on your system by using a virtual private network. A VPN allows people to use a public network as if they were transmitting information on a private one. Finally, the popularity of the dark web with criminals makes it a perfect way for undercover police officers to communicate. The dark web and the deep web are also often erroneously used interchangeably.
In recent years, there has been a significant decline in the number of drug markets operating on the dark web. This is due to a combination of law enforcement efforts and the rise of alternative methods for purchasing drugs, such as social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps.
Some offer to send empty packages to new customers, so they can check for signs of inspection. Smart buyers use the address of an inattentive or absent neighbour with an accessible postbox, and never sign for receipt. On top of all that, buying drugs from the dark web can get you arrested. By buying drugs on the dark web, you’re assuming all of the risks of federal drug trafficking charges. On many occasions, the Drug Enforcement Agency has been known to show up on people’s doorsteps after they’ve ordered a package. When buying drugs on the dark web, customers often buy in bulk, at significantly reduced prices for purchases over a certain quantity.
Law enforcement efforts have resulted in the takedown of several major dark web drug markets, including the infamous Silk Road and AlphaBay. These takedowns have disrupted the operations of many drug vendors and have made it more difficult for buyers to find reliable sources of drugs.
What Is The Dark Web And How Do You Access It?
As alleged, defendant Edison Hernandez was a highly rated vendor of illegal narcotics on Silk Road, AlphaBay, Dream Market and Wall Street Market. From January 2013 until April 2019, Hernandez advertised and sold heroin and cocaine to customers in the United States through these dark web marketplaces. Dream Market became the largest online marketplace for illegal drugs with the Dread Pirate Roberts finding his ship dead in the water. From drugs and stolen data to counterfeit goods of all descriptions, Dream Market thrived until the site was shut down in April 2019, the owner having been arrested two years previously.
Alternative methods for purchasing drugs, such as social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps, have also become increasingly popular. These platforms offer a degree of anonymity and allow buyers and sellers to communicate directly, bypassing the need for a centralized marketplace.
The Current State of Dark Web Drug Markets
- Many dark web suppliers have started to voluntarily ban fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid, as it’s just too dangerous.
- Using cryptocurrency, the unregulated internet currency that doesn’t involve banks, individuals can buy drugs and have them shipped to their homes or a post office box the next day.
- Its logo even mimics the internet giant’s colour palette, and Grams Trends lets users see what other people have been searching for (mostly marijuana).
- Even if you still have a regular in-person dealer that you trust, they may not know what they’re selling, or, for that matter, be able to find a supplier whose gear isn’t compromised.
- The Farmer’s Market was the first known dark web marketplace, followed by the infamous Silk Road dark web market.
- Most web users spend their time on the surface web which makes up only a small fraction (an estimated five percent) of the internet.
Despite the decline in the number of drug markets operating on the dark web, it is still possible to buy drugs on these platforms. However, the risks associated with doing so have increased. With the decrease in the number of markets, the remaining markets have become more crowded, leading to increased competition and lower prices. This has resulted in a race to the bottom, with vendors cutting corners and taking risks in order to stay competitive.
Additionally, the decrease in the number of markets has made it more difficult for buyers to find reliable sources of drugs. This has led to an increase in the number of scams and fraudulent vendors operating on the dark web. Buyers must be vigilant and do their due diligence in order to avoid being scammed.
Conclusion
While it is still possible to buy drugs on the dark web, the risks associated with doing so have increased. The decline in the number of drug markets and the rise of alternative methods for purchasing drugs have made it more difficult for buyers to find reliable sources of drugs. Additionally, the remaining markets have become more crowded, leading to increased competition and lower prices. Buyers must be vigilant and do their due diligence in order to avoid being scammed.
