Dark web markets running their own Black Friday drug sales

Black Friday is generally one of the most anticipated sales of the year. Consumer goods, whether they belong in the tech or the fashion industry are on sale with attractive discounts, leading consumers to line up the streets and crash websites in efforts to acquire the best bargains. Now, vendors on underground marketplaces are also reportedly eager to cash in on the Black Friday gravy train.

Dark web drug vendors have allegedly begun offering Black Friday deals on a wide variety of narcotics, for those interested in relieving the stress of the holiday season. According to a report by Voactiv, underground vendors are selling LSD tablets at $2 a pop, with deals that offer customers a refund or reshipping options if they buy 10 or more tablets.

The vendor of this alleged deal also offered to throw in 10 free testing strips to the first buyer who wants to send their purchase to a Barcelona-based drug-testing service called Energy Control. The service is allegedly commonly used in the dark web drug sales business.

One AlphaBay vendor is allegedly marketing the powerful and sometimes legal painkiller fentanyl. The vendor is offering those who place an order on 25 November two times the normal amount of the drug at a special rate.

"There is no limit to the amount you can order so get your bitcoins ready," the vendor said, US News reported. The AlphaBay vendor however, appeared to want to avoid drawing too much attention. "I would rather not have attention brought on my line of business ... the more attention this gets the more attention it's given by law enforcement and the fact that people tend to not be [too] wise when using powerful drugs like fent isn't helpful," he said.

The AlphaBay vendor claimed to be aware of the potential dangers of the drug and stressed that he/she did not intend for anyone to come to harm. "I'll tell you this, that I won't sell it to anyone who doesn't demonstrate knowledge of the potency of the drug," he said.

However, one of the most commonly offered and sought after drug on the dark web is marijuana, which also allegedly has numerous Black Friday deals. One vendor is marketing medical grade marijuana, a hybrid strain known as Gorilla Glue #4, at $100 an ounce. The drug is believed to induce strong euphoria and relaxation and is also allegedly effective in treating insomnia, pain and stress.

Dark web drug sales have risen exponentially in the recent past. Fewer risks involved with procuring products, with limited exposure to violence and assurance of product quality have seen consumers gravitate to underground forums. According to one study, dark web drug sales have tripled in the past three years, since law enforcement authorities shut down the notorious Silk Road marketplace.