Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has become a major concern in the illegal drug trade due to its high potency and potential for overdose. Darknet markets have emerged as a popular platform for buying and selling drugs, including fentanyl. These online marketplaces operate on encrypted networks, allowing users to make transactions anonymously.
Gao Lanfang, Wang Mingjing (王明镜), previously designated Wang Hongfei (王洪飞), and others transacted with a U.S.-based illicit drugs distributor who later pled guilty to felony narcotics charges following the death of a teenager. Wang Mingjing is an official of Hebei Xiuna and the founder of Hebei Crovell Biotech Co., LTD. (河北克拉维尔生物科技有限公司) (Hebei Crovell), a vendor of fentanyl-analogs whose employees market and export drugs, as well as manufacture them. Hebei Crovell has also publicly advertised the sale of 4-anilinopiperidene, a fentanyl precursor, as well as precursor chemicals of other illicit drugs.
- Darknet markets have become a significant player in the world of drug trade, providing anonymity to buyers and sellers and contributing to the rise of drug sales and purchases.
- Tor is an internet service which protects those who use it from monitoring and promotes anonymity through data routing and encryption.
- He placed the package in his trunk, then headed south on Interstate 5 to the border.
- This bust alone could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives – because a lethal dosage of fentanyl can be as low as 2 milligrams.
OxyMonster is an admin to Dream Market, a senior moderator on the forum, and he’s actively selling drugs to site users. [MUSIC] Now, when you buy drugs on Dream Market, you send your Bitcoin to an escrow account. This is an extra layer of security so that the vendor doesn’t know what the buyer’s Bitcoin address was and the buyer doesn’t know what the vendor’s Bitcoin address was because you don’t want the feds to know your Bitcoin address because they might have ways to track it.
What Are Darknet Markets?
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This suggests its $27 million estimate is likely lower than the total amount of fentanyl precursor sales over the past half-decade. In its study of precursor-selling chemical labs, Elliptic notes that several of the websites it surveyed specifically mentioned that they shipped to customers in Mexico, and 17 of the labs also sold finished fentanyl and other even more powerful opioids. It said that Gal had voluntarily handed over his device passwords but he did that before being given his Miranda rights. It said he did it under false information that the agents were hunting for child porn and he didn’t give them consent to root through his files and folders looking for Bitcoin, dark web connections, and login details. While the legal process for Gal was slow moving, the new FBI J-CODE team was not hanging about.
Darknet markets are online platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of illegal goods and services. These marketplaces are accessed using special software that allows users to browse and make purchases anonymously. Transactions on darknet markets are typically made using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Missouri Department of Revenue investigated the case. The drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a penalty of at least five years in prison, with a maximum of 40, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. The identity theft conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. The misuse of a passport charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved.
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Fentanyl Sales On Darknet Markets
Several darknet markets are known to sell fentanyl, often in the form of pills, powders, or patches. Some of the most notorious darknet markets that have been associated with fentanyl sales include:
- AlphaBay: AlphaBay was one of the largest darknet markets before it was shut down by law enforcement in 2017. It was known for its wide range of products, including fentanyl.
- Empire Market: Empire Market is another popular darknet marketplace that reportedly sells fentanyl among other illicit substances.
- Wall Street Market: Wall Street Market was another well-known darknet market that sold fentanyl before it was seized by authorities in 2019.
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Is It Legal to Buy Fentanyl on Darknet Markets?
No, it is not legal to buy fentanyl on darknet markets or any other platform without a prescription. Fentanyl is a controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and overdose. Purchasing fentanyl from darknet markets can also be extremely dangerous, as the quality and potency of the drug are often unknown.
US And Europe Dismantle International Dark Web Drug Operation, Arrest 150
What Are the Risks of Buying Fentanyl on Darknet Markets?
The video also showed Shaughnessy dropping “a baggie of drugs from his pocket,” and trying to kick the drugs out of the view of officers taking him into custody. He also denied that the drugs belonged to him, the attorney’s office said. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Crane and Assistant U.S. Attorney Connor Mullin.
Buying fentanyl on darknet markets poses several risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
- Health Risks: Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that can cause respiratory depression and overdose, especially when used without medical supervision.
- Scams: Darknet markets are rife with scams, and buyers may receive counterfeit or adulterated fentanyl products.
In conclusion, while darknet markets may offer a convenient platform for buying illicit substances like fentanyl, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. It is crucial to prioritize your health and safety by avoiding the purchase and consumption of fentanyl through illegal channels.
