INTERNATIONAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT CENTRE 

centrul international antidrog

idec

The DARKNET increasingly present in drug trafficking.

DRUG WEB AND DARK NET

Drug trafficking on the web has become more and more prevalent in recent years, with the black market increasingly moving online to escape repression by the authorities. In Europe, one of the emerging trends is the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment for online drug purchases.

The main reason why cryptocurrencies have become so popular among drug traffickers is their anonymous and decentralised nature. Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be easily tracked by authorities, making them an ideal means of paying for illegal purchases. Moreover, since cryptocurrencies are not issued or controlled by a central authority, there is no limit to the amount that can be transferred in a single transaction.

The Darknet, a network of websites that are only accessible via anonymous browsing software, has become a major platform for online drug sales. On these sites, drug traffickers use cryptocurrencies as a means of payment for transactions, so that buyers can remain anonymous and not risk being discovered by the authorities.

The amount of drugs sold online has grown exponentially in recent years, with an increase in demand from users, especially among young people. Europol, the European police agency, has stated that online drug trafficking has become one of the main security threats in Europe.

Authorities are trying to counter this trend through increased cooperation between European law enforcement agencies, as well as through the use of advanced technologies to detect and block websites used for selling drugs online. For example, the European drugs and drug addiction agency (EMCDDA) has stated that international cooperation is key to tackling this threat and that authorities must be able to exploit the opportunities offered by new technologies to identify and intercept online drug traffickers.

In addition, there have been several joint operations between European and US law enforcement agencies to dismantle darknet sites and arrest the drug traffickers using this platform.

For example, in 2019, Operation ‘Sabotage‘ led to the closure of the darknet site ‘Wall Street Market‘, one of the largest online drug markets in Europe, and the arrest of numerous drug traffickers.

However, despite the efforts of the authorities, online drug trafficking continues to grow and evolve. Drug traffickers are increasingly sophisticated in their use of cryptocurrencies and anonymous browsing technologies to avoid detection. Moreover, the spread of decentralised payment systems such as ‘stablecoins’ makes it even more difficult for authorities to track transactions.

To effectively tackle this threat, authorities must continue to work together and adopt new technologies to identify and intercept online drug traffickers. Furthermore, it is crucial that European authorities coordinate with those in other countries to create a global network to combat online drug trafficking.

Furthermore, it is important to promote greater awareness among citizens about the risks associated with buying drugs online and the importance of avoiding feeding the black market. Overall, the fight against online drug trafficking will require a combination of efforts by the authorities, society and the international community.

What we know about the operation SABOTAGE

Operation ‘Sabotage‘ was a joint action between European and US law enforcement agencies to dismantle one of the largest online drug markets in Europe, called ‘Wall Street Market’ (WSM). The site, operational since 2016, was a darknet platform offering a wide range of illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as counterfeit goods and firearms.

In May 2019, authorities arrested three alleged administrators of the site and seized WSM’s servers. In addition, five million dollars in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Monero and Dash, used for transactions on the site, were seized.

The operation was a major blow to online drug trafficking and demonstrated the ability of the authorities to effectively counter this threat through international cooperation and the use of advanced technology. However, it is important to note that online drug trafficking continues to be an evolving problem and authorities must continue to work together to effectively counter this threat.

Furthermore, Operation Wall Street Market has highlighted the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with buying drugs online and the importance of avoiding fuelling the black market. Overall, the fight against online drug trafficking will require a combination of efforts by authorities, society and the international community to be effective.

OTHER OPERATIONS ON THE DARNET

Operation ‘Hyperion‘: In 2019, French police and Europol launched a joint operation to dismantle a network of drug traffickers using the dark web to sell narcotics. The operation led to the arrest of 33 individuals and the seizure of more than 1 tonne of drugs, including cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

Operation ‘Bayonet‘: In 2018, Japanese police and Interpol cooperated to dismantle a drug trafficking network that used the dark web to sell synthetic drugs. The operation led to the arrest of 12 individuals and the seizure of over 3 tonnes of synthetic drugs.

Operation ‘Black Hornet‘: In 2017, Australian police and Europol launched a joint operation to counter the trafficking of

 

INTERNATIONAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT CENTRE – I.D.E.C.

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