Price of Nitazenes for Sale on Cryptomarkets and Surface Web Shops
Nicola Man1, Monica J Barratt2,3, Raimondo Bruno1,4
1National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Introduction:
Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids increasingly detected in illicit drug markets in Australia and globally. Little is known about the pricing of nitazenes, which can influence patterns of use and accessibility. This study examines the price of nitazenes listed for sale via cryptomarkets and surface web shops.
Methods:
We collected nitazene listings on English-language cryptomarkets twice monthly from October 2021 to September 2024. Prices per gram (US dollars) were analysed using a multilevel generalised additive model, accounting for nitazene type, quantity, region of origin and delivery availability to Australia. Surface web shops were identified in March 2024 using the search query 'buy [specific nitazene] Australia', with data analysed descriptively.
Results:
A total of 10,749 pricing observations of nitazene powder were identified across 29 cryptomarkets; 10 surface web shops selling nitazenes were also found. Isotonitazene had the highest median price per gram ($80 USD) among the most frequently listed nitazenes. Cryptomarket prices were significantly higher for listings shipping to Australia and originating from regions outside Asia, although there was variation by nitazene type. Cryptomarket prices trended upwards from 2024 onwards. Substantial quantity discounts were observed across nitazene types. Surface web shop prices were consistently lower than cryptomarkets.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Nitazenes are available at relatively low prices across cryptomarkets and surface web shops. Given that price is a key determinant of drug-related harm, these findings reinforce the need to monitor online markets for their role in nitazene supply and to expand harm reduction efforts addressing the risks from these substances.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
Preparation of Amines: Reduction of Oximes and Nitro Compounds
Though catalytic hydrogenation can reduce nitrobenzenes, the reduction is nonselective in the presence of other functional groups. For instance, if nitrobenzene contains an aldehyde group,...
Preparation of Nitriles
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by water loss...
Nitriles to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction
As shown below, the mechanism involves three steps. Firstly, the hydride ion acting as a nucleophile attacks the nitrile carbon to form an anion. In the second step, a second equivalent of the hydride ion attacks the anion to...
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene


