New Law Targets Opioid and Drug Trafficking on the Dark Web.
This Act aims to curb the opioid crisis by directly targeting anonymous drug sales online. It establishes a new federal crime for distributing controlled substances via the Dark Web and creates a specialized interagency task force to detect and dismantle illicit online marketplaces. For citizens, this means enhanced public safety through intensified federal efforts against drug trafficking and organized cybercrime.
Key points
A new federal offense is created: knowingly distributing controlled substances (like opioids) using the Dark Web is explicitly illegal.
Increased Penalties: Individuals convicted of drug distribution via the Dark Web face harsher sentences (a 2-level increase in sentencing guidelines).
Establishment of the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement Task Force within the FBI to coordinate federal agencies in dismantling illegal online platforms.
Mandatory reporting on the use of virtual currencies in financing illegal opioid distribution to improve investigative techniques.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_1975
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Process start date: 2025-06-05