The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) study recommends responding with the same methods, running counter-narcotics campaigns offering advice that can be trusted on popular online platforms.
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“We can see that drug trafficking is not just carried out on the dark web. Legitimate e-commerce platforms are being exploited by criminals too,” said Jallal Toufiq, INCB President.
Criminal gangs take advantage of the chance to reach large global audiences on social media channels by turning them into marketplaces and posting inappropriate, misleading and algorithm-targeted content that is widely accessible to children and adolescents, the board noted.
Poppy cull
The authors of the report observed a significant decline in opium poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s ban on drugs. But, South Asia’s methamphetamine trafficking boom is linked to its manufacture in Afghanistan with outlets in Europe and Oceania.
In Colombia and Peru, there has been a notable increase in illicit coca bush cultivation, rising by 13 per cent and 18 per cent respectively in 2022.
Cocaine seizures also reached a record level in 2021 in West and Central Africa, a major transit region.
And Pacific island States have transitioned from being solely transit sites along drug trafficking routes to becoming destination markets for synthetic drugs.
In North America, the opioid crisis persists, with the number of deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone surpassing 70,000 in 2021. In Europe, several countries are pursuing a regulated market for cannabis for non-medical purposes, which, the INCB experts believe, may be inconsistent with drug control.
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Real-world dangers online
Other trends linked to drug dealing today include the use of encryption methods in communications and transactions, anonymous browsing on the darknet and payments in hard-to trace cryptocurrencies, which increase challenges for prosecutors.
The INCB report also highlighted how criminals relocate their operations to regions with less stringent law enforcement or lighter sanctions, often choosing countries where extradition can be evaded.
The latest data also emphasizes the heightened risk of deadly overdoses linked to the online availability of fentanyl – many times more potent than heroin – and other synthetic opioids.
Another area of concern is telemedicine and online pharmacies. While such services have the potential to enhance healthcare access and simplify the prescription and delivery of lifesaving medicines, illegal internet outlets that sell drugs without a prescription directly to consumers are a very real health risk.
The global trade in illicit pharmaceuticals is estimated at $4.4 billion.
In many cases, it is impossible for consumers to know whether the drugs or medicines they are buying are counterfeit, banned or illegal.
To combat the online threat, the report’s authors insist that internet platforms should be used to raise awareness about drug misuse and support public health campaigns, especially targeting young people.
Given the global nature of the challenge, countries should cooperate to identify and respond to new threats, said INCB, whose 13 members are elected by the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
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“We can see that drug trafficking is not just carried out on the dark web. Legitimate e-commerce platforms are being exploited by criminals too,” said Jallal Toufiq, INCB President. Criminal gangs take advantage of the chance to reach large global audiences on social media channels by turning them into marketplaces and posting inappropriate, misleading, and algorithm-targeted content that is widely accessible to children and adolescents, the board noted. Poppy cull The authors of the report observed a significant decline in opium poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s ban on drugs. But, South Asia’s methamphetamine trafficking boom is linked to its manufacture in Afghanistan with outlets in Europe and Oceania. In Colombia and Peru, there has been a notable increase in illicit coca bush cultivation, rising by 13 per cent and 18 per cent respectively in 2022. Cocaine seizures also reached a record level in 2021 in West and Central Africa, a major transit region. And Pacific island States have transitioned from being solely transit sites along drug trafficking routes to becoming destination markets for synthetic drugs. In North America, the opioid crisis persists, with the number of deaths invo
“It is alarming to see how drug trafficking has extended its reach beyond the dark web. The INCB’s recommendation to combat this through counter-narcotics campaigns on popular online platforms is crucial. Criminals are exploiting legitimate e-commerce platforms to target global audiences, including vulnerable children and adolescents. We must take swift action to tackle this growing issue.”
Do you think the strategies recommended by the INCB study will effectively combat the surge in online drug trafficking, especially with the increasing illicit cultivation and trafficking trends in various regions?
Based on the INCB study recommendations, implementing counter-narcotics campaigns on popular online platforms could play a crucial role in combatting the online drug surge. However, addressing the complex challenges posed by the growing illicit cultivation and trafficking trends in different regions will require a multi-faceted approach involving international cooperation and targeted enforcement measures.
“It’s truly concerning how criminals have shifted their operations to exploit legitimate e-commerce platforms to reach a larger audience. We need trustworthy advice available on popular online platforms to combat this surge in drug trafficking activities.”
“It’s alarming to see that drug trafficking has extended beyond the dark web to mainstream e-commerce platforms. We must take immediate action to combat this rising trend and protect our communities,” emphasized Jallal Toufiq, the President of INCB. The infiltration of criminal elements into social media platforms creates a concerning environment where harmful content is easily accessible to vulnerable demographics like children and adolescents.”
Isn’t it concerning that criminal gangs have found ways to exploit legitimate e-commerce platforms for drug trafficking? What measures can be taken to effectively combat this on popular online channels?
It is indeed worrying that criminal gangs are utilizing legitimate e-commerce platforms for drug trafficking. Strong measures need to be implemented to combat this on popular online channels, such as enhancing cybersecurity protocols and collaborating closely with online platforms for effective monitoring and swift action against illegal activities.
“It’s alarming to see how criminals are leveraging legitimate e-commerce platforms for drug trafficking. The recommendations by the INCB to combat this through trusted counter-narcotics campaigns on online platforms are crucial in protecting vulnerable audiences, especially children and adolescents.”
We can see that drug trafficking is not just carried out on the dark web. Legitimate e-commerce platforms are being exploited by criminals too. Criminal gangs take advantage of the chance to reach large global audiences on social media channels by turning them into marketplaces and posting inappropriate, misleading, and algorithm-targeted content that is widely accessible to children and adolescents, the board noted.
“It’s alarming to see that criminal activities related to drug trafficking are spreading to legitimate online platforms. We need to take immediate action to combat this by implementing trustworthy counter-narcotics campaigns on popular social media channels.”
As a concerned citizen, it is alarming to see the rise of drug trafficking on legitimate e-commerce platforms. Criminals exploiting social media to reach a global audience is deeply concerning, especially when targeting vulnerable young individuals. It’s crucial to combat this through trustworthy counter-narcotics campaigns online.
It is clear that drug trafficking extends beyond the dark web. Criminals are exploiting legitimate e-commerce platforms, reaching a wide audience on social media. We need trustworthy counter-narcotics campaigns to tackle this surge effectively.
“It’s alarming to see how criminal activities have extended beyond the dark web to legitimate e-commerce platforms. We must act swiftly and decisively to combat this dangerous trend,” emphasized Jallal Toufiq, President of INCB. The accessibility of social media to criminal gangs poses a serious threat, especially to our youth, as they are exposed to inappropriate and misleading content online. The findings regarding drug production and trafficking trends in different regions call for a coordinated international effort to address these pressing issues.”