Crackdown on “Dark Web” Dealers

(Fall 2018) The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) reclassification of opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone from Schedule III to Schedule II impacted how physicians prescribe these substances.  One consequence of the classification change is that more opioids are being sold on the internet at covert sites called the “dark web” or “darknet.” Analysis of dark web opioid sales in the year prior to the DEA’s reclassification and then two years after showed a marked rise in darknet American opioid sales following the move.

Law enforcement is taking notice of this change.  Recently over 35 individuals were accused by the Justice Department of peddling drugs on the dark web. According to the New York Times, this marks the first instance of federal prosecutors setting their sights on those dealing the drugs illicitly instead of focusing on individuals running the illegal websites.

Vendors were arrested in Ohio, Vermont, New York, California and Maryland. Over 300 bottles of liquid synthetic opioids were seized, along with more than 100,000 tramadol pills, over 24 kilograms of Xanax and 100 grams of fentanyl. Additionally, authorities came away with $3.6 million in U.S. currency and gold, over 100 guns and 15 pill presses used to make illicit man-made opioids.

On a separate front, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing for leading internet providers and social media sites to more carefully police websites selling opioids illegally. Recently these web providers met with government representatives to discuss best practices to reduce the problem.

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