Finding The Needle In The Haystack: CMU Students Develop AI Tool To Improve The Usability Of Government Reports
Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl Sales
- Organizations and individuals should use a password manager to suggest and store passwords to reduce password reuse (which increases attacker access in a credential hacking attack).3.
- He and two co-conspirators received cryptocurrencies before mailing parcels containing fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine to customers around the country.
- It’s a really fascinating listen so check out the episode Operation Bayonet if you want to know more because it was a pretty impressive operation the feds pulled off there.
On his social media account he was posting that the next beard competition was in Austin, Texas on September 1st, 2017 and guess who was going? When agents realized Gal was flying into the US to attend, they knew this was their chance. The DEA contacted Homeland Security Investigations and asked for their help. The plan was to detain Gal at the airport while he was going through customs.
Including on the darknet, drug users across the EU spend more than £26bn on illicit substances each year. On Thursday, Local 10 News learned that those men are being accused of selling narcotics, including fentanyl, online in exchange for Bitcoin as payment. Last year, together with German authorities, the DoJ seized Hydra Market, the world’s largest and longest-running illegal marketplace. “This represents the most funds seized and the highest number of arrests in any coordinated international action led by the Justice Department against drug traffickers on the dark web,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
The rise of the internet has led to the emergence of various online marketplaces, commonly known as darknet markets. These platforms operate on the dark web, providing a space for illicit goods and services, including some of the most dangerous substances, such as fentanyl.
“This case is a result of diligent efforts by a team of U.S. and international investigators to target one of the largest darknet marketplaces in the world.” Those Chinese chemical companies do in some cases sell products other than fentanyl precursors, Elliptic’s Robinson notes, and he concedes that blockchain analysis can’t tell the difference between those sales and the sales of fentanyl ingredients. Some also sold precursors to amphetamines, methamphetamines, and other opioids. But Elliptic’s researchers saw companies advertising that fentanyl precursors were their best-selling product, in some cases. Robinson also notes that Elliptic isn’t claiming to have measured the entire crypto-based fentanyl supply chain, but only taken a “snapshot” of transactions it could identify.
What is Fentanyl?
John Kapoor is seventy-six years old right now so if he serves five and a half years in prison, he’s gonna get out when he’s eighty-two years old. What bothers me still is that these huge pharmaceutical companies who manufacture and distribute fentanyl recklessly are some of the biggest makers for Naloxone and Suboxone which are the drugs used to treat opioid addiction. As Gal waited to be sentenced, the feds had to do something with all the Bitcoin that they seized from him.
They were going to tell him this is a routine check on all digital devices that he had with him. HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Cryptomarkets emerged in 2011 with the launch of Silk Road on the Tor network.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than morphine, making it a common choice for illegal drug manufacturers. Its high potency increases the risk of overdose and death, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.
Darknet Markets: A Brief Overview
Dark web drugs market operators and vendors are aware of the increased law enforcement scrutiny and seizure efforts that arise from stocking fentanyl – resulting in many banning them outright. A San Fernando Valley man and woman have been indicted for selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine around the nation on dark web marketplaces, the U.S. Hydra Market, which started operating on the encrypted and anonymous dark web in 2015, made up 80% of darknet sales and brought in about $5.2 billion in cryptocurrency, according to the U.S. Hydra’s servers were seized in Germany by police there Tuesday morning in coordination with U.S. law enforcement. The modern epidemic of fentanyl adulteration is far broader in its geographic distribution, production and number of deaths.
According to the suspects’ indictments, one of the defendants, Luis Miguel Teixeira-Spencer, sold the pills on “darknet markets,” including AlphaBay, Dream, Wall Street and Empire. A massive international operation targeting dark web markets culminated in 288 arrests, the seizure of 1,875 pounds of drugs and more than $50 million in cash and cryptocurrency, authorities said Tuesday. The arrests stem from the December 2021 seizure of the infrastructure supporting the Monopoly Market, a darknet drug marketplace dating back to 2019. After German authorities seized the infrastructure, authorities compiled intelligence that served as the basis “for hundreds of national investigations,” according to a statement issued by Europol Tuesday. They also allegedly sold narcotics over the encrypted comms app Wickr, which has reportedly become a popular tool for drug dealers as well as entirely legitimate users like journalists and activists who want to keep their messages hidden from law enforcement. Prosecutors claimed that since May this year, there were a minimum of 85 different customers hanging out on the SlangGangCentral Wickr chat.
The Elliptic report notes that the tens of millions of dollars worth of precursor sales it tracked on blockchains would likely be enough to manufacture enough fentanyl to, if distributed efficiently, kill every person on earth. Valerian Labs, Inc. has received shipments of methylamine hydrochloride, which is a precursor chemical used to produce methamphetamine and MDMA. Valerian Labs Distribution Corp. has attempted to procure 2,000 liters of chloroform, 800 liters of dichloromethane, and 200 kg of iodine, substances used in the production of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Darknet markets are websites that can only be accessed through specific software, such as Tor, which ensures anonymity. These markets allow users to buy and sell a variety of illegal goods, including drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Many darknet markets have been known to sell fentanyl in various forms. Some of the most notorious markets include:
- Silk Road 3.1 – Though it has faced shutdowns, various versions have emerged that still facilitate the sale of fentanyl.
- AlphaBay – Once the largest darknet market before its closure, it played a significant role in fentanyl distribution.
- Dream Market – Known for selling various illicit drugs, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
- Wall Street Market – Another major market that has been linked to fentanyl sales.
- White House Market – Recently emerged as a popular destination for purchasing fentanyl.
Types of Fentanyl Sold on Darknet Markets
When it comes to fentanyl available on darknet markets, the following forms are commonly encountered:
- Fentanyl Powders – Often sold in bulk to be mixed with other substances.
- Pills – Fake pills imitating prescription medications, containing fentanyl.
- Fentanyl-laced Heroin – Heroin mixed with fentanyl to increase potency.
Risks Associated with Purchasing Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
Buying fentanyl from darknet markets presents numerous risks, including:
- Legal Consequences – Purchasing illegal substances can lead to severe legal repercussions if caught.
- Health Risks – The purity and dosage of fentanyl can vary significantly, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Scams – Many vendors are not trustworthy, potentially leading to financial loss.
FAQs About Darknet Markets and Fentanyl
1. Are all darknet markets selling fentanyl illegal?
Yes, all darknet markets that sell fentanyl are operating illegally and pose significant risks to buyers.
2. How can law enforcement track darknet market activities?
While darknet markets provide some level of anonymity, law enforcement can use various techniques, including surveillance and undercover operations, to track illegal activities.
3. What should I do if I encounter fentanyl on the street?
It’s critical to avoid using it, as fentanyl is highly dangerous. If you suspect someone is using fentanyl, encourage them to seek help immediately.
4. Can fentanyl be detected in drug tests?
Yes, fentanyl can be detected in standard drug tests, but specific tests are required to identify it, as it may not show up in all screenings.
Conclusion
The sale of fentanyl on darknet markets demonstrates the challenges posed by the digital age in combating drug abuse and trafficking. Awareness of these markets and the dangers they present is crucial to addressing the ongoing opioid crisis.
