The Baltic and Nordic responses to the first Taliban poppy ban: Implications for Europe & synthetic opioids today

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124, P. 104314 - 104314

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

The 2000-2001 and the 2022-2023 Taliban opium bans were could be two of largest ever disruptions to a major illegal drug market. To help understand potential implications current ban for Europe, this paper analyzes how opioid markets in seven Baltic Nordic countries responded earlier ban, using literature review, key informant interviews, secondary data analysis. nations' diverse ways, including rebounding with same (heroin Norway), substitution more potent (fentanyl replacing heroin Estonia), one lower risk overdose (buprenorphine Finland). responses not instantaneous, but rather evolved, sometimes over several years. This variety suggests that it can hard predict will respond disruptions, extreme views challenged. It would naive imagine adapt shocks, also unduly nihilistic presume they always just bounce back no lasting effects. Substitution another way meeting demand is possible, does negate fully benefits disrupting original Nonetheless, there historical precedent European country's market switching synthetic opioids when supplies disrupted. Given much switch has increased rates Canada United States, serious concern Europe at present. A period reduced supply may particularly propitious time expand treatment services (as Norway did early 2000s).

Language: Английский

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Online Drug Markets and Implications for Addiction Medicine: A Narrative Literature Review

Journal of Addiction Medicine, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 3, 2025

This narrative review examines the evolving landscape of online drug markets, focusing on darknet markets for illegal drugs and their implications addiction medicine. We provide an overview development current state these highlighting key features operation demographics users. Finally, we address medicine clinicians, including need adapted prevention efforts, new approaches to intervention relapse prevention, potential leveraging digital platforms in treatment. aims equip professionals with knowledge needed navigate challenges posed by enhance ability effective care this changing environment.

Language: Английский

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Selling drugs through the darknet: The new golden goose of the drug market and (or) the danger that is still ahead

Bezbednost Beograd, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 67(1), P. 41 - 62

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

This work examines the emergence of darknet markets and their characteristics, assesses scale value this trade, compares it with traditional street markets, concluding an overview law enforcement activities aimed at identifying organizers participants providing evidence illegal trade. The drug trade on cryptomarkets represents a complex growing issue, fueled by anonymity technological advances internet, particularly darknet. phenomenon operates principles digital economy marketing, marked high adaptability, fluidity, resilience to interventions, along reduced violence among participants. Globally, market is estimated be valued around 315 million dollars annually, accounting for about 1% global market. has seen fourfold increase in less than decade, cannabis, cocaine, synthetic opioids, stimulants dominating, similar although heroin demand. judicial police systems face significant challenges combating Effective strategies involve developing new technologies monitoring online activities, training officers, forming international teams coordinated actions. Identifying key players disrupting crucial weakening infrastructure stopping continuous sales. While some operations have had success curbing darknet, remain due ease seller migration, rapid adaptation circumstances, existence smaller, detectable "crime spillover" platforms. Monitoring individuals financial transactions anonymous environment demands specialized technology expertise, necessitating upgrades methods. fight against complex, ongoing process that requires multidisciplinary approach collaboration. As continues evolve, essential institutions adapt innovate effectively counter ever-evolving tactics traffickers.

Language: Английский

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Blockchain Forensics and Crypto-Related Cybercrimes

SSRN Electronic Journal, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

This handbook provides an overview of various criminal activities related to cryptocurrencies, including investment scams, Ponzi schemes, rug pulls, ransomware attacks, money laundering, and darknet markets. We discuss the need for user protection education, centralized entities regulators' efforts prevent use blockchain forensic techniques investigate curb cybercrimes such as attacks laundering. also go beyond access how other statistical analyses crypto-related data emerge a powerful tool examine wash trading tax evasion. Despite some success by authorities in shutting down cybercriminal activities, using cryptocurrencies technologies makes it challenging identify prosecute those involved illicit increased collaboration between law enforcement agencies technology industry is needed. ongoing effort authors provide overall anatomy cybercrime potential solutions crypto space.

Language: Английский

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Dark Web Activity in the Japanese Language Between 2004 and 2020: A Case Study of the Onion Channel

Deviant Behavior, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 45(11), P. 1550 - 1567

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

This paper investigates the activity of Japanese-language dark web sites by examining a Japanese forum, Onion Channel. While global crypto markets and English-language forums have been extensively studied, there has little research on sites. The number posts variety activities Channel started increasing around mid-2012, exhibited steady growth until end 2016, then showed declining trend toward mid-2020. study classifies forum into 10 categories. was dominated illegal unethical activity. In particular, drug dealing cyberbullying were two major that took place there. large presence drug-related suggests operated as substitute for markets. Textual analysis revealed cannabis methamphetamine drugs likely to be sold, those deals completed face-to-face at designated location. There also certain amount content, such information related fraud, identity theft sales false IDs, hacking, well criminal conversations.

Language: Английский

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Missing the mark? Identifying child sexual abuse material forum structure and key-players based on public replies and private messaging networks

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Nov. 2, 2024

Abstract Darknet forums dedicated to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) attract thousands of users interacting with each other through online communications. Given finite resources, law enforcement agencies seek ways effectively prioritise their investigative efforts by identifying key-players that are central the forum community. For identification such users, typically rely on communication network can be derived from messages posted public part forum. Many forums, however, also allow for private communications between members, raising question what extent relying only a single mode biases key-player identification. Using data both and two large-scale darknet CSAM networks structures analysed. Measures centrality robustness applied ascertain level bias introduced when determining one available networks. Findings show minority members participate in communication, limited overlap participants active Key-players emerging combining resemble those only, suggesting police prioritisation based postings is still ‘on mark’. Members who may nevertheless special interest.

Language: Английский

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