Was thinking about this after reading a few threads today: being a middleman importer of drugs is not sustainable and very risky for the average DNM user. Now, before you get your pitchforks, let me explain.
Picture the average DNM user. If we draw from the average redditor, he's a white, male, in his early 20's or late teens. Very few of our users are people who've done time, or even been charged with crimes such as possession. Before the darknet market, he got his weed from a local guy (and hopefully still does!) and never dreamed of doing cocaine/mdma/xans/opiates. However, the game changed. Drugs that were rare in his area become easily available through the mail, and at hugely discounted prices. Our hero orders a few things, learning a bit about opsec and reading vendor threads along the way. After sharing his drugs with friends, he has a sudden realization: he has access to cheap, quality drugs that everyone wants. Suddenly the life of vendors is glamorized, covered in a thin sheet of coke and cash. However, he realizes quickly that becoming an online vendor takes a lot of work, and a lot of startup cash. What else can he do? That's when it hits him. Importing drugs for sale locally! He can easily buy drugs online for pennies on the dollar and sell them locally! Jackpot, right? At first glance the premise seems excellent; High profits, low startup costs. However, even a cursory look at some of the variables involved reveals some flaws in the trade.
The importer is at the mercy of the vendor, the mail courier, and other uncontrollable variables.
There is nearly always a connection between the importer and the drugs, all the way down the chain.
Lacks the anonymity of online vending, once again allowing the drugs to lead back to the importing party.
LEA's are targeting the large importers of drugs. The busts they make look good for the agencies, and big sentences are handed down.
Sorry for rambling, just curious as to what your thoughts are on this.
Edit: I should mention, if you are dealing small amounts to a few friends, that's different. I'm talking the people importing 100g+ of any substance
Meh. I'll disagree. I don't really have too much of an argument but I've paid very important things with earnings from being a MM. Live and sustain, not trying to get rich.