The unique presentation of LSD makes it a particularly interesting substance on the Dark Web. In this entry of our “Market Analysis” series, we will examine its price and other aspects, such as adulteration.
Before continuing with this article, it is important that you read THIS.
LSD is one of the most potent synthetic psychoactives, active in doses of micrograms (millionths of a gram). The most common form of presentation is impregnated small blotter paper (tabs). This characteristic makes it very easy to camouflage inside a letter, brochure, or magazine. Its hypothetical detection by Customs Services or postal police checks is practically impossible, which makes LSD a particularly sought-after product in Dark Web marketplaces. LSD is usually among the top 5 most demanded products in the main marketplaces.
LSD Prices on the Dark Web
The price of a single tab ranges between 5 and 10 euros ($5.50–$11). As is often the case, prices decrease as the number of units purchased increases, although this drop is smaller than that observed with other substances. Most vendors ship their products worldwide, and the price difference between different geographical areas is smaller than that observed with other substances. This fact is likely related to the greater ease of crossing customs.
Forms of presentation
Blotters (tabs) are the most common form of presentation (75% of products on Silk Road, 78% on Pandora Marketplace, 70% on Agora, 80% on Outlook Marketplace). However, it is easy to find less common presentations. For example, microdots—tiny tablets that are just as easy to camouflage in an envelope as tabs.
LSD is soluble in water and alcohol, so it can also be found in the form of liquid drops containing the diluted active ingredient.
Anti-drug crusaders and sensationalist media will love to know that LSD gummy candies exist. You know, the ones dealers hand out at school gates to hook children. The reason for this presentation has more to do with cultural aspects (the connections between LSD or MDMA culture and children’s icons) than with evil traffickers playing the Wicked Witch, but let it be; I am not going to bother explaining it. In any case, they wouldn’t understand it anyway…
The most curious presentation we have found is crystallized LSD. A vendor on Silk Road 2.0 offers different quantities of LSD in this form, also providing the results of an analysis that (supposedly) certifies the quality of their product. This listing is one of the most expensive on the Web. 10 grams of LSD for 98,889 euros. For this price, we would obtain 100,000 doses of 100 micrograms (a hell of a trip) at less than 1 euro per dose, with a profit margin of 500–1,000% at market price.
Purity and risks of adulteration
A striking aspect is the supposedly high quality of the products offered on the Dark Web. In the post we published on ecstasy pill prices, we pointed out how objective analysis results certified the existence of pills with high concentrations of MDMA at the time, data confirmed in recent European Union reports. Regarding LSD in Dark Web marketplaces, doses of 200–250 micrograms per blotter are frequent… according to the vendors, whereas the reality of the analysis data does not seem to confirm this figure so far.
Another notable fact is the presence, in the “LSD” category, of different products such as hallucinogenic amphetamines (DOC, DOB) or substituted phenethylamine derivatives (25-x-NBOMe). These substances are characterized by a duration of effects even longer than LSD (in some cases 18–36 hours), greater organic toxicity, and an absence of safety data. Specifically, 25-I-NBOMe was discovered in 2003; the scarce research data on it comes from studies on pigs, and its health effects are unknown. However, it is relatively popular on the Dark Web. Furthermore, these drugs are usually cheaper than LSD and are presented in the same way (tabs), so the risks (whether due to confusion or when being resold on the traditional black market as LSD blotters) are evident.
In summary, the prices offered on the Dark Web are competitive compared to those offered on the street, according to data from the National Plan on Drugs (I have already mentioned that they have some rather expensive dealers in the Plan). In addition, the availability of LSD on the traditional black market is relatively low compared to other substances. The ease of sale and transport via the Internet, low prices, and the possibility of adulteration or confusion with other substances constitute a dangerous cocktail that we will have to keep an eye on…
