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Understanding the Pricing of Drugs on the Dark Web
“The Chinese are really not afraid to operate within their clear web,” Kozuch told us. “The police and intelligence services are there, and from time to time we hear about arrests, but the fact is there are many hundreds of thousands of websites.” IntSights director of threat research Itay Kozuch told The Register that various countries in the region will use hidden Tor services in different ways and for different purposes compared to folks in the EU and US. Authorities submitted evidence that more than 90 of the drug ring’s customers died of drug overdose. Shamo’s organization sold many pills in bulk to distributors who then resold them.
The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, including the purchase and sale of various substances. Many individuals interested in this underworld wonder, how much are drugs on the dark web? Prices can vary significantly based on a number of factors.
Factors Influencing Drug Prices
Several elements contribute to the pricing of drugs on the dark web:
- Type of Drug: Different substances command different prices. For example, synthetic drugs may be cheaper than natural substances due to production costs.
- Quality: Higher purity usually comes at a higher price. Buyers often seek reliable vendors with quality assurances.
- Supplier Reputation: Vendors with established reputations tend to charge more due to trust and reliability factors.
- Market Demand: Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. Popular drugs may see price increases during times of high demand.
- Geographical Location: The location of both the buyer and seller can impact shipping costs and availability, influencing the final price.
It forms a small part of the deep web, the part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google. Law enforcement officials are getting better at finding and prosecuting owners of sites that sell illicit goods and services. In the summer of 2017, a team of cyber cops from three countries successfully shut down AlphaBay, the dark web’s largest source of contraband, sending shudders throughout the network. Dark web websites look pretty much like any other site, but there are important differences.
Foreign drug manufacturers are not held to American drug standards, and like any home drug laboratories, can use synthetic, chemical additives in their production process. There is no regulation of these substances and there is no stamp saying they are pure. If the takedown of Silk Road taught us anything at all, it is that selling and buying drugs online is possible—and that these websites work. There are many imitators of this online drug arena, half of which derived directly from the Silk Road template. But now, the number of websites selling drugs illegally has increased exponentially. Today, there are about 9,300 websites selling drugs illegally on the darkweb.
Most estimates suggest at least 5% of all web content resides on the dark web. A 2015 study of dark web content found over 50% of all material hosted was illicit. The fact that dark web content is inaccessible to search engines like Google is an asset for anyone looking to buy or sell illegal narcotics online. 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. Buying drugs online allows consumers to order from a smorgasbord of narcotics, delivered to the door via the postal system.
Thanks to The Onion Router (TOR) software, internet users are able to transmit their communication anonymously. Within Canada for example, the price range in dollars per gram was from 6.15 in Montreal to 7.82 in Toronto, while in the US, the range was from 7.58 in Seattle to 18.08 in Washington DC. Earlier this year, police in Germany, Ukraine and the Netherlands, along with Europol and the FBI, announced a joint effort that led to raids on the homes of members of a the DoppelPaymer ransomware gang and the seizure of computer equipment belonging to its members. The FBI also worked with law enforcement agencies across Europe to take down Hive ransomware infrastructure in January. Through a shell company, Next Level Research and Development, ANDERSON and a co-conspirator purchased more than 1,000 kilograms of microcrystalline cellulose, the primary ingredient used to manufacture pharmaceutical tablets.
Most of them were only started in 2018, and almost all of those that became major darknet markets had disappeared by December 2020. Without intervention from law enforcement, the dynamic and resilient darknet market ecosystem could have grown even faster over the past decade. But major law enforcement operations have led to the dismantling of a number of darknet platforms, including AlphaBay, which we mentioned at the beginning of this piece when talking about the “Fentmaster” case.
While using the dark web may seem suspect on the surface, it is perfectly legal, and there are many legitimate uses of Tor and anonymous browsing. For example, in countries where government surveillance may be used to spy on and oppress political dissidents, the dark web is often a place for communication that avoids government censorship and scrutiny. Despite these added layers of security, users should still be cautious using the dark web and take proper security measures, such as periodically updating their security software, browsing with a robust VPN, and avoiding the use of a standard email address. Originally used by the United States Department of Defense to communicate anonymously, the dark web has now become a hub for users wishing to remain anonymous around the world. It uses a technology called “onion routing,” which protects users from surveillance and tracking through a random path of encrypted servers.
Price Range for Common Drugs
While it is difficult to provide a definitive answer, the following is a general price range for various drugs typically found on the dark web:
- Cocaine: $50 to $150 per gram
- MDMA (Ecstasy): $20 to $40 per pill
- Heroin: $80 to $150 per gram
- LSD: $5 to $15 per tab
- Marijuana: $10 to $20 per gram, depending on strain and quality
Risks of Purchasing Drugs on the Dark Web
While many are curious about how much are drugs on the dark web, it’s important to consider the risks involved:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing illegal substances can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Quality and Safety: Many drugs sold on the dark web lack quality control, increasing the risk of harmful adulterants.
- Scams: The dark web is rife with fraudulent vendors. Buyers can lose money or receive nothing at all.
- Security Risks: Engaging in transactions can compromise personal information and expose users to hacking.
FAQs about Drug Pricing on the Dark Web
What are some common methods of payment on the dark web?
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are the most commonly used payment method, providing a degree of anonymity to both buyer and seller.
Are prices on the dark web higher than retail prices?
In many cases, prices can be lower due to the lack of overhead costs typically associated with physical retailers, but this varies widely.
- SAN DIEGO — Chances are good that some of your patients are using the ‘Dark Web’ to buy opioids, synthetic heroin, or other drugs.
- You’ll be exposing yourself to all kinds of danger, even if it seems like an innocuous and anonymous environment.
- Solaris – one of the leading dark web drug markets – was taken over by a rival market named Kraken (not affiliated with the legitimate crypto exchange of the same name).
- We manually validated all keywords and the corresponding categories to guarantee their correctness.
- If your teen asks about Bitcoin, find out what he knows about it and why he’s interested in it.
- … And then, below that, his soldiers, which were his lower-level employees that didn’t know too much but were doing the mop-up duty.
How can I ensure I’m dealing with a reputable vendor?
Buyers should look for feedback from previous customers, verify vendor ratings, and consider seeking recommendations from trusted sources.
What should I do if I suspect a scam?
If you suspect a scam, cease communication with the vendor and refrain from making any payments. It’s wise to report the vendor to the platform for potential future buyers.
In summary, understanding how much are drugs on the dark web involves looking at various factors such as drug type, quality, and market demand. However, the risks associated with purchasing drugs in this manner often outweigh the perceived benefits, making caution necessary for any potential buyer.
