Dishing the Deets: How Dark-Web Users Teach each other about International Drug Shipments

Abstract

International trafficking of drugs enabled by the dark-web is still a problem despite the increase in take-down actions. Even though the transaction takes place digitally, the national postal systems are the ones being exploited and used for delivery. Users of the dark-web readily share information on forums, cryptomarkets, and feedback pages to maximize their safety and success while conducting these drug transactions. Using data collected from forums, vendor profiles, and feedback pages, this study provides an evidence that the knowledge being shared on the dark-web is rich data law enforcement and governments need to use as intelligence. Users discuss all aspect of the delivery process, including proper addressing, stealth packaging, and risks associated with taking delivery of the package. Based on these findings, policy recommendations are made to guide the implementation of techniques to counter the rise of dark-web-enabled drug shipments in the fight against drugs and cryptomarkets.