Operation SpecTor was a collaborative initiative across JCODE members, including the Department of Justice, IRS-CI, FBI, DEA, USPIS, HSI, ATF, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. This operation was aided by non-operational supporting participation from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and U.S. Local, state, and other federal agencies also contributed to Operation SpecTor investigations through task force participation and regional partnerships.
But just how the fentanyl gets there from China, and how much, has been something of a mystery. In fiscal 2017, Customs and Border Protection interdicted 118 shipments totaling 240 pounds of fentanyl from express consignment carriers and 227 seizures totaling 92 pounds from the international mail, according to recent CBP testimony to Congress. Private shippers such as UPS and FedEx, however, are required to include the information, apparently making the U.S.
Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl
Flashpoint analysts discovered that the plurality of fentanyl is shipped from within the United States; many European countries also appear in the list of the most common shipping locations. Fourteen percent of all fentanyl products surveyed by Flashpoint are shipped from Germany, while the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic (Czechia) are also popular shipping origin locations. ASAP Market showing a listing of fentanyl, despite supposedly banning the sale of the drug. “China White” is likely to be α-Methylfentany – a powerful fentanyl analog – yet it can be hard to establish its composition as traffickers use a range of chemicals based on what they can source pre-production. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S.
The emergence of the internet has led to the development of various online marketplaces, commonly referred to as darknet markets. These platforms operate on the dark web and allow users to buy and sell a wide range of illegal substances, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
What is Fentanyl?
Physicians like me have seen a rise in unintentional fentanyl use from people buying prescription opioids and other drugs laced, or adulterated, with fentanyl. Heroin users in my community in Massachusetts came to realize that fentanyl had entered the drug supply when overdose numbers exploded. In 2016, my colleagues and I found that patients who came to the emergency department reporting a heroin overdose often only had fentanyl present in their drug test results.
Just nine days after Operation SaboTor was announced, on April 4th, three men were arrested in New Jersey. Chester, Jarrette, and Ronald had been operating two storefronts on the Dream Market under the name sinmed. We had successfully executed the search warrant and the search system themselves resulted in the seizure of both narcotics, a firearm, and numerous digital devices which may have been used to set up and facilitate this activity online. The individual is transported of course to the US Marshals and to the federal courthouse to appear before a judge.
- Today, the Department of Justice, and its Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team and international partners, announced the results of Operation SpecTor, which included 288 arrests – the most ever for any JCODE operation and nearly double that of the prior operation.
- Through their investigation, inspectors also stopped packages they suspected the dealer had sent with drugs inside.
- Then there are mirror sites on the surface web that provide hyperlinks to corresponding hidden sites, and “invitation-only” markets where users need to be referred by a current user, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) says.
- Prosecutors presented evidence at trial showing that Shaughnessy sold multiple drugs, including fentanyl, carfentanil and pentedrone using the dark web, according to the attorney’s office.
- “Internet drug sales have the potential to become more prevalent,” explains Jonathan P. Caulkins, professor of operations research and public policy at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College, who led the study.
The rise of darknet markets has also led to debates about the effectiveness of law enforcement in shutting them down and the ethical implications of participating in such markets. Our study identified 41,000 opioid trade–related marketplace listings and forum posts by analyzing more than 1 million listings and posts in multiple anonymous marketplaces and forums, which is the largest underground opioid trading data set ever reported. We found evidence through extensive analyses of the anonymous online market of pervasive supply, which fuels the international opioid epidemic. Nontraditional methods, as presented here by studying the online supply chain, present a novel approach for governmental and other large-scale solutions. When interpreted by professionals, our initial results demonstrate useful findings and may be used downstream by law enforcement and public policy makers for impactful structural interventions to the opioid crisis.
Largest Darknet Marketplace Shut Down By US, German Law Enforcement
The challenge for law enforcement agencies is that drug trafficking organizations-or DTO’s as they are known are adept that working the dark web to sell fentanyl and coming up with the next police workaround. One month after the takedowns, OxyMonster became an official vendor on Dream Market and started shipping drugs to the US. With Hansa gone, he easily leveled up on Dream but what he didn’t know was that the DEA were watching what he was doing and trying to figure out who he really was. By August 2017, the DEA were following up on this tip jar Bitcoin wallet that OxyMonster was so keen to advertise. While Bitcoin is supposed to be anonymous, if you follow it closely enough, you can sometimes figure out who owns a wallet. But just as dark markets have evolved, so has the technology checking out Bitcoin.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, often used medically for patients with severe pain. However, its potency makes it a prime target for misuse and illegal distribution. Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, leading to a significant risk of overdose.
The director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which compiled the report, said it represented “a clear wake-up call for policymakers” to address an “increasingly global, joined-up and digitally enabled” rapidly growing drug market. The report said the number of online stores run by single vendors had grown in response, and the market was expected to continue to both fragment and migrate to encrypted communication apps such as Discord and Telegram. Sean Shaughnessy was sentenced Monday to 293 months in prison after he was convicted last year of three separate charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute illegal drugs and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Khlari Sirotkin is accused of leading the money side of the operation, which also used the moniker SlangGang, helping the others run dealer accounts and handling cryptocurrency revenue. His brother was said to have handled the packaging from North Hollywood, California.
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Numerous darknet markets serve as hubs for the sale of illegal drugs, including fentanyl. The anonymity provided by these platforms attracts both sellers and buyers. Some of the most notable darknet markets that have been known to sell fentanyl include:
- Silk Road 3.0 – The successor to the original Silk Road, known for a variety of illicit drugs.
- White House Market – This market has become prominent for its strict user verification process.
- DarkMarket – Offers a wide variety of illicit goods, recently known for opioid sales.
- Empire Market – Features a range of sellers, including those offering fentanyl and its analogs.
How Fentanyl is Sold on Darknet Markets
Sellers on darknet markets typically use pseudonyms to protect their identities. They offer fentanyl in various forms, including:
- Pills – Often disguised as other prescription medications.
- Powder – Sold in small quantities that can be easily concealed.
- Liquid – Some sellers offer liquid fentanyl, which can be injected or ingested.
Risks Associated with Purchasing Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
While the darknet offers anonymity, it comes with inherent risks. Consumers should be aware of:
- Quality Control – Many sellers provide no guarantees regarding the purity of substances, leading to a high risk of overdose.
- Legal Consequences – Purchasing fentanyl is illegal in many jurisdictions, risking criminal charges.
- Scams – The likelihood of encountering fraudulent sellers is significant, which can lead to financial loss.
FAQs about Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
1. Are all darknet markets selling fentanyl illegal?
Yes, all darknet markets dealing in fentanyl are illegal, as they violate drug laws in most countries.
2. How does one access darknet markets?
Accessing darknet markets typically requires a special browser like Tor, which allows for anonymous browsing.
3. What should I do if I encounter fentanyl use or trafficking?
If you suspect trafficking or misuse of fentanyl, report it to local law enforcement authorities.
4. Is fentanyl always dangerous?
While fentanyl can be safe under medical supervision, misuse, especially when sourced from unofficial markets, is highly dangerous.
Conclusion
The issue of fentanyl distribution on darknet markets poses significant challenges for law enforcement and public health. Awareness and education are crucial in combating the dangers associated with this potent substance.
