"Dark Web Actors Fight For Drug Trafficking and Illegal Pharmacy Supremacy"

According to new research conducted by Resecurity, the annual sale of illegal drugs on the dark web exceeded $470m in 2022.  The company's new report highlights the growth of the shadow economy and new communication methods used by criminals, including proprietary Android-based mobile apps and the launch of an underground marketplace called Kraken.  More specifically, the researchers suggest that following the takedown of the Hydra Marketplace by Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office in April 2022, at least 10 darknet markets have risen to fill the regional void for drugs and other illicit goods.  Among these is the Kraken, which Resecurity says has already accumulated over 1720 reputable sellers and shops selling illicit goods.  Most of the underground marketplaces examined by the researchers were observed primarily fighting for brand recognition.  The researchers stated that they saw an increase in tensions between different influence groups behind illegal marketplaces on the dark web, as they were attacking each other, performing DDoS attacks, and trying to abuse the reputation of competitors to capture a bigger market share.  The researchers noted that due to these cyber battles, several actors have moved from the now-closed Hydra to new marketplaces and have started leveraging alternative digital channels, including customized mobile apps and instant messengers like Telegram.  The researchers stated that the ecosystem of drug sales on the dark web poses threats internationally, with several epicenters primarily concentrated in Eurasia and Central Asia and actively used for drug trafficking.  The researchers also identified multiple drug shops on the dark web providing customers with personalized Android-based phones with pre-installed apps used for purchases, secure communications, and sending instructions to couriers.  Looking forward, the researchers expect new marketplaces to emerge in 2023.  The researchers stated that the law enforcement community needs to develop new ways to monitor illegal drug trades in the dark web and adjust their tactics to the dynamically changing threat landscape.

Infosecurity reports: "Dark Web Actors Fight For Drug Trafficking and Illegal Pharmacy Supremacy"