According to the
National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime report of the
National Crime Agency, the trade of legal highs would further push into the
dark web once legislation had successfully banned all legal highs.
An alteration in the
law from banning just new legal highs from entering the market into a ban
towards all legal highs would prove its moving into uncharted territory.
“Change in legislation
around NPS in May 2016 effectively banning so-called 'legal highs’ is likely to
see a large increase in these drugs being offered through the dark web
instead,” the report, published late last week, reads. According to the
report’s methodology, “likely” refers to an “associated probability range” of
75-85 percent.
A UK-based seller
named SaintSymbiosis is selling 7 grams of Spice for 0.1094 bitcoins or £50.
Other formerly legal
drugs including Benzo Fury are available in the dark web.
Before the ban, people
had sourced their legal highs from digital shops on the mainstream web.
Because
of the bans, the sale of the products may move in both the dark web and the
black market.
A Home Office
spokesperson said, “These dangerous drugs have already cost far too many lives.
The Psychoactive Substances Act is sending out a clear message - this
government will take whatever action is necessary to keep our families and
communities safe. These drugs are not legal, they are not safe and we will not
allow them to be sold in this country.
“Legislation is part
of our approach to drugs which involves preventing drug use in our communities
and helping dependent individuals to recover,” the spokesperson said, “while
ensuring our drugs laws are enforced.”
