Who needs the dark web? Drug sales flourish on social media

The proliferation of open drug dealing on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat has transformed illegal substance procurement, making it more convenient and arguably safer for consumers.

For every illegal drug, there is a combination of emojis that dealers and consumers use to evade detection on social media, such as snowflakes for cocaine and love hearts for MDMA.

A report by the European Union Drugs Agency noted that purchases brokered through social media appear to be gaining prominence as a form of drug transaction.

In 2021, it was estimated that 20 percent of drug purchases in Ireland were arranged through social media, indicating a notable shift from traditional methods.

Read at Ars Technica