Because of the internet's anonymity, many police and anti-drug groups believe web drug dealing is even more dangerous than buying drugs on the streets as the buyer has no knowledge of what they are actually purchasing.

The trading of illegal drugs in this way is particularly extensive in the UK, the United States, Australia and Thailand where criminal organizations are posing as legitimate pharmaceutical companies to obtain the chemicals they need to manufacture illegal drugs such as ecstasy and amphetamines. African countries are also reported to be becoming progressively more involved in such activities.

Bridget Brennan led an investigation into the dealing of drugs online and found that illegal narcotics were being readily sold on many popular and reputedly "lawful" websites. "It's like shooting a fish in a barrel", were Brennan's comments on how easy it was to find dealers online with many code names being used. "They'll offer ski tickets in July in New York and Tina Turner tickets when she's not performing in town. Marijuana ads are a little more, er blunt. It is usually referred to by name or as '420'. We see lots of professionals with good jobs doing it," Brennan said.

The cannabis is still the most commonly used drug in Europe. The international drugs body has called upon the international community to "review cannabis and take stronger measures", an approach that has been criticized by drug reform groups for being "irrational".

But it is trading of prescription drugs online that is becoming dangerously customary. Most of the major search engines list websites where highly addictive prescription drugs can be bought, without a prescription. These "no prescription websites" appear to be genuine and trick buyers into believing what they are purchasing is legal and legit.