There is no question that cryptocurrencies, by providing easier access to capital and financial services, have the potential to enable social and economic growth worldwide, particularly in developing countries. On the contrary, we can not ignore the fact that criminals use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to run and fund illegal activity on the dark web. However, the law enforcement authorities keep a close watch, with such crimes committed on the dark Internet using cryptocurrencies. According to a report by the Times of India on August 24, a man from Kerala is being detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly purchasing drugs on the dark web using Bitcoin.
24 year old indicted for buying ecstasy using crypto
K Rahman, a 24-year-old man from Kerala , India, has been indicted by the authorities for allegedly acquiring $27,000 ecstasy pills using Bitcoin. According to the report, the drugs were shipped from Frankfurt at the end of July using a fake address. The suspect was about to receive illicit narcotics through the Foreign Post Office in Chamrajpet.
In fact, the contents of the parcel were 750 grey and brown pills, which were later identified as ecstasy, often referred to as MDMA. The report states that the package was initially examined on 31 July. Upon testing the material as illegal, the authorities initiated an investigation headed by Bangalore’s regional director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Amit Ghawate.
After almost 20 days of tracking the recipient of the package, the bureau captured Rahman. According to the officer in charge of the case, Rahman sells narcotics to youngsters, especially college students. He notes:
“Rahman had, on previous occasions, ordered the drugs and received them at the city’s FPO before selling them at parties and among youngsters, mostly college students.”
BTC usage on the dark web
Currently, Bitcoin is the most widely accepted crypto, both on the dark web and legit markets. Darknet markets (DNM) are known to supply all sorts of goods, some illicit, some less so, but acquirable using crypto such as BTC and delivered to your destination.
The dark web mainly operates using Bitcoin or the privacy-focused monero cryptocurrency. According to a report by Crystal Blockchain Analytics back in May, Bitcoin activity on the dark internet increased by 65 percent during Q1, 2020.