On-chain data indicates the vendor supplies these drugs to other Chainalysis-identified online pharmacies and DNM vendors, all while maintaining a far-reaching global customer base throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and South America. In addition to various benzodiazepines, stimulants, and psychedelics, one longstanding China-based research chemical manufacturer also sells nitazenes. The vendor’s listing of a protonitazene analog boldly states that the compound has a potency 20x greater than that of fentanyl, as seen below. Once received by the buyer, the compound could be pressed into counterfeit pills, like M30s, and further distributed to end consumers. In addition to fentanyl, the presence of nitazenes in the global supply of dangerous synthetic opioids has increased, and China-based vendors have established themselves as the initial source. Nitazenes are a type of synthetic opioid with a similar potency to fentanyl.
Can You Access The Dark Web With A VPN?
“By cowardly hiding online, these traffickers have wreaked havoc across our country and directly fueled the fentanyl crisis and gun violence impacting our American communities and neighborhoods,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. The shift toward decentralized marketplaces reduces reliance on single domains, making disruptions less impactful. Buyers prioritize markets with active community support, where real-time updates on URL changes are shared. For example, Dread forums and Telegram channels serve as hubs for distributing fresh links, minimizing downtime. And the people who use it ,buyers and sellers alike, have adapted to stay two steps ahead.
Police Shut Down Long-running Dark Web Drug Market
Both defendants further admitted to distributing fentanyl-laced pills to two additional victims, both of whom suffered fatal drug overdoses shortly after they received the pills from Ta and Srinivasan. “We will continue to monitor, investigate and bring to justice those who misuse the internet in a quest for profits with reckless disregard for the risk to public health and safety.” “This record-breaking operation sends a clear message to every trafficker hiding behind a screen—your anonymity ends where our global reach begins,” said Acting Director Todd Lyons of U.S. “Thanks to the unwavering efforts by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Europol and our international partners, we’re cracking the code of the so-called ‘safe spaces’ for cybercriminals—they are in our sights and we’re not backing down.” “This historic international seizure of firearms, deadly drugs, and illegal funds will save lives,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Criminals cannot hide behind computer screens or seek refuge on the dark web – this Justice Department will identify and eliminate threats to the American people regardless of where they originate.”
The Rise Of Secure And Diverse Darknet Drug Trade
This historic takedown, led by Europol, resulted in the highest number of seizures in JCODE’s history. Dark web surveillance involves monitoring information on the darknet, such as to identify compromised credentials being sold, or to track forums to anticipate (and prevent) cyberattacks. While it can be used for illegal activities, there are also perfectly legitimate forums, social networks, and communities.
Law Enforcement Operations
This process also prevents your ISP from seeing your data or where it’s going. Since the ISP can’t detect you’re accessing dark web URLs, it won’t trigger any alarms about your online activity. Your ISP, and possibly the authorities, may decide to start monitoring your activity more closely to look for threats or illegal activity. That’s why we always recommend using a VPN over Tor—even if you feel you have nothing to hide.
ICE, Europol, Law Enforcement Partners, Dismantle Major Illicit Drug Networks In Global Darknet Crackdown
Despite the churn, the top five platforms dominate, handling roughly 72% of all transactions. This concentration shows that while new entrants appear frequently, only a handful manage to attract significant user trust and volume. In fact, new markets are popping up every 3 to 4 weeks, proving that the cycle of closures and launches is alive and well. Whether you’re a journalist, policymaker, or everyday internet user, these changes shape how we understand privacy, security, and risk online. In this blog, we’ll reveal how the dark web is being used in 2025, which countries are driving curiosity, and what the latest data reveals about access trends. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, to a charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine, and to a charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Cryptocurrency-enabled drug sales also grew by over 19% from 2023 to 2024, reaching nearly USD 2.4 billion in volume. During the same period, the number of newly launched darknet marketplaces declined 42% year over year — indicating that while the ecosystem is consolidating, remaining actors may be becoming more operationally advanced. Vice City Market runs 18,000+ listings and $2.5 million monthly trades on BTC and XMR, with a 5% share. Its 9,000+ users and 700+ vendors focus on drug trades with strong escrow security.
Drug Trade Statistics
Basically, any market which gets buyers what they want is best for them, isn’t it? Most single-vendor markets listed here are very well-established as well, however, I’d still prioritize multi-vendors for security reasons. What this means is, in most cases, the admins/owners of these websites are also the sole vendor on the markets. Also, I have not verified the legitimacy/authenticity of any of these markets/vendors. Hence, if you get scammed, lose your money, or order wrong products, I (the creator/s of this article) can not be held responsible.
Market Consolidation And The Rise Of Monero
Behind the big revenue numbers are thousands of individual vendors, each running operations that range from small side hustles to large-scale enterprises. The earnings data highlights just how uneven, yet lucrative, this underground economy can be. At the top of the list is illegal file sharing (29%), where pirated software and copyrighted files are traded. Close behind is leaked data (28%), which shows just how common stolen credentials and breached databases are across hidden forums.
- The website operated in a format similar to other e-commerce platforms, with product listings, ratings, and user profiles.
- The first category includes classic marketplaces, which serve as one-stop shops for a wide range of illegal goods.
- Cybersecurity companies, researchers, and law enforcement agencies (including FBI) monitor the dark web.
- This further complicates monitoring efforts because now you need to search for the related Telegram channels and track activity there and on the marketplace itself.
- It supports PGP encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), alerts against fake sites (antiphishing), and a verification system for sellers.
Shuttered Dark Web Marketplaces
The court also sentenced fifteen accomplices to anywhere from eight to 23 years in maximum-security penal colonies. The 2025 dark web is not just about shady marketplaces, it mirrors the evolution of the internet’s underground economy. Usage patterns show that curiosity is spreading beyond the West, with India and other regions climbing the ranks.
By providing real-time insights into threats, these tools enable companies to safeguard their brand and prevent data breaches before they occur. The Tor browser, short for The Onion Router, is software that allows users to access the Tor network. Navy, it anonymizes Internet activity by routing data through multiple servers, masking your IP address.
Top 10 Darknet Markets 2025
Saheed Aremu passionately advocates for digital privacy and cybersecurity in the modern digital age. As one of PrivacySavvy’s resident VPN experts, he guides readers on protecting their online information and anonymity. Saheed earned his degree in Technology and Ethics from the University of Lagos in Nigeria. Since then, he has dedicated his career to writing extensively about crucial infosec, data privacy, and cybersecurity topics. When he’s not empowering PrivacySavvy’s readers to take control of their online security, Saheed enjoys distance running, playing chess, and exploring the latest open-source software advancements.
