Remaining anonymous? The offline side of darknet drug vending

Darknet drug vending is a hybrid crime. Although many activities occur online, the delivery of drugs to buyers requires a shift from the digital to the physical realm. This transition could be considered risky for vendors; while the online side provides anonymity, the offline side may expose vendors to increased opportunity for monitoring, evidence gathering and potential enforcement. This research examines data from 80 arrest cases and 279 news reports to study these dynamics. The results, which are analysed under the framework of routine activity theory, reveal that the offline side of darknet drug vending, short of being entirely risky, actually provides some interesting criminal opportunities for vendors, as they may capitalise on the advantages of using the postal service for delivery and operating out of an enclosed base of operations for management. Remarks are made in reference to the wider implications of offline criminal opportunities for darknet drug vendors in Europe and beyond.