Hidden wholesale: the drug diffusing capacity of online drug cryptomarkets

In spite of globalizing processes ‘offline’ retail drug markets remain localized and – in recent decades – typically ‘closed’, in which dealers sell primarily to known customers. We characterize drug cryptomarkets as ‘anonymous open’ marketplaces that allow the diffusion of drugs across locales. Whe...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Aldridge, Judith 1963- (Author) ; Décary-Hétu, David (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2016
In: International journal of drug policy
Year: 2016, Volume: 35, Pages: 7-15
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
Cryptomarkets
Dark net drug markets
Illegal drug markets
Cyber crime
Drug diffusion
Drug monitoring systems
Drug dealing
Drug use
Dark net
Description
Summary:In spite of globalizing processes ‘offline’ retail drug markets remain localized and – in recent decades – typically ‘closed’, in which dealers sell primarily to known customers. We characterize drug cryptomarkets as ‘anonymous open’ marketplaces that allow the diffusion of drugs across locales. Where cryptomarket customers make stock-sourcing purchases for offline distribution, the cryptomarket may indirectly serve drug users who are not themselves cryptomarket customers, thereby increasing the drug diffusing capacity of these marketplaces. Our research aimed to identify wholesale activity on the first major cryptomarket, Silk Road 1.
ISSN:1873-4758
DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.04.020