The Dark Web and the Illicit Gun Trade
The Relationship Between Drugs, Weapons, And Human Trafficking On The Darknet
- The good thing about using this website is that you do not have to purchase any products or services on the site to get started.
- Testifying on Wednesday, Cremona said that while US authorities had passed on the delivery address, they were unable to trace who paid for the weapon order.
- Additionally, the judge said that Handley “conducted business on the dark web” and had email accounts linked to three dark web sites using false identification.
He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others. FDLE said the group took advantage of more than 70 people and ten online businesses. He admitted conspiracy to import a firearm and ammunition in September prior to a sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday (26 November) where he was jailed for five years. MacPhee, who admitted attempting to evade the duty on an imported item, was ordered to pay a £275 fine at the same as the sentencing hearing.
The dark web gun trade has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its association with criminal activities and concerns about public safety. Understanding how this hidden segment of the internet operates is crucial for law enforcement, policymakers, and the general public.
“I noticed on the forums and reddit people were constantly asking ‘where to get product X?’ and ‘which market had product X?’ or ‘who had the best product X and was reliable and not a scam?'” Grams’ creator told WIRED in a chat session. “I wanted to make it easy for people to find things they wanted on the darknet and figure out who was a trustworthy vendor.” According to ProPublica, a portal specializing in investigative journalism, there are reports of dark web sales of hybrid metal and plastic 3D printed components and kits. These items are said to be extremely durable, with one researcher likening them to standing on a piece of Lego that will not break.
Undoubtedly, the most popular tool for this purpose is the Tor browser, which allows for anonymous browsing of the regular internet, as well as access to the dark web. There, you can find links to illegal and dangerous websites, as well as services that simply no longer function. These include various types of blogs, forums, and news sites.According to the researchers, vendors selling guns on the dark web are proud of their ability to conceal their products and create untraceable guns, which they refer to as “ghost” guns.
Pistols were the most common item for sale, followed by rifles and sub-machine guns, the report reads. What that suggests is that the black market for 3D-printed gun designs will be much larger than today’s online market for regular firearms. The products are safer to transmit (since the seller need not use the Postal Service) and the inventory is limitless. Often, it’s hard for law enforcement to close down these sites because technology hides them. Users access dark markets by first downloading and installing a browser called Tor, which masks their identities, allowing users to search in secret. The sites have names like Evolution, Agora and Nucleus, where criminals can buy and sell all manner of illegal goods and services.
To counter this problem, the user needs to add his/her public key to his/her profile to enable 2-factor authentication. The public key will be used to encrypt a message that contains a security code. Once the user gets authenticated, he/she will receive the encrypted message.
Please note that the code must be integrated into the HTML code (not only the text) for WordPress pages and other CMS sites. The temperature began to drop and the faint sounds of police sirens echoed in the distance before I lost consciousness. Without thinking I grabbed the bags that held the guns through the slot of the plexiglass divider and ran. I could hear the office doors fly open as the clerk and detective gave chase. It didn’t matter if they even caught me, if I didn’t get out of there in a minute I was a dead man anyways. Finally got to the station, was a little worried my hand would draw suspicion so I slipped it into my pocket.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. A common tool used to navigate the dark web is Tor, which anonymizes user activity and helps maintain privacy.
A spokesperson for the NCA told BuzzFeed News in a statement that the Dark Web has become a way for legitimate, legal sales to become diverted into illegal channels. In November, Darren Hillyer, 38, an IT manager, admitted conspiracy to import a firearm after posing as a woman called Emma to buy a gun and ammunition from a DNM. NCA officers intercepted the package, which he had persuaded an accomplice to pick up from a post office. For $1,500, the buyer would get the gun, a night sight, and two magazines of bullets.
How Guns are Sold on the Dark Web
Online marketplaces on the dark web often facilitate the buying and selling of a variety of illegal goods, including firearms. Here’s how the process typically works:
- Accessing the Dark Web: Users need to download special software like Tor.
- Finding Marketplaces: Users often join forums or communities to receive recommendations for trustworthy sites.
- Listing Items: Sellers post listings for firearms, often featuring pictures and detailed descriptions.
- Making Transactions: Purchases are typically made using cryptocurrencies to maintain anonymity.
Risks Associated with Buying Guns on the Dark Web
The process of purchasing a dark web gun carries numerous risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Buyers can face serious penalties if caught purchasing illegal firearms.
- Scams and Fraud: Many listings are fraudulent, and buyers may lose their money without receiving anything in return.
- Unsafe Transactions: The anonymity of the dark web complicates recourse options in case of disputes.
Law Enforcement and the Dark Web Gun Trade
Law enforcement agencies around the globe are constantly working to combat the illegal gun trade on the dark web. Their strategies include:
- Monitoring Marketplaces: Agencies keep tabs on popular dark web sites to track illegal activities.
- Undercover Operations: Law enforcement sometimes employs covert methods to infiltrate these marketplaces.
- Collaborating Internationally: Global cooperation is vital as the internet transcends national boundaries.
FAQs About Dark Web Guns
Can you buy guns legally on the dark web?
No, purchasing firearms on the dark web is illegal and poses significant legal risks.
What types of guns are available on the dark web?
Listings may range from handguns to more sophisticated firearms, including automatic weapons. However, the authenticity of these items is often dubious.
Is it safe to buy anything from the dark web?
Buying from the dark web is inherently dangerous. Aside from legal issues, there are also risks of fraud and exposure to harmful individuals.
Conclusion
The dark web gun trade represents a complex and dangerous intersection of technology, crime, and public safety. Greater awareness and understanding of this issue are essential for promoting safety and informing policy decisions aimed at curbing illegal activities.
