Dealers selling drugs on WhatsApp group
‘Secret’ forum circulated on Facebook
DEALERS are brazenly offering drugs for sale on a supposedly secret WhatsApp group – which was openly circulated on Facebook.
The online group, called Doctors Orders, is similar to group chats set up by millions of families to share messages, snaps and video.
But on this one, pushers happily hawk their wares – while would-be buyers put out requests for specific types of drug, or even weapons and fake currency.
WhatsApp has taken off among criminal gangs because of its end-to-end encryption, meaning a message can only be read by whoever it is sent to.
Anyone intercepting it – or even someone granted access to the firm’s servers – is unable to unscramble it.
It is understood that members joined the drugs group after a link was posted on Facebook, WhatsApp’s parent firm.
Facebook is already facing questions over hosting extremist material.
Its founder Mark Zuckerberg was hauled before the US Senate over claims it misuses people’s data.
Our revelations will raise further concerns. A source said: “This group allows blatant drug dealing. These
Buyers and dealers connect via encrypted WhatsApp messages billion-pound tech companies have among members. Once you are in, the questions to answer.” group is used as a place for sellers and
We began investigating Doctors buyers across the UK to connect. Orders after a tip-off by someone Users post lists of illegal and horrified at what they found there. prescription-only drugs for sale, with
To join the group, users must be given some offering hard-to-trace web an “activation code” which is shared currency bitcoin as a payment method. They promise recorded delivery with tracking numbers – and next-day deals.
We saw class A drugs listed, including cocaine and crystal meth, as well as tranquilisers and painkillers.
One offering a prescription-only tranquiliser wrote: “New drugs list. Xanax: 10 for £30, 50 for £100 and 100 for £150.” Another member replied to an enquiry about commonly abused painkiller oxycodone, writing: “Who wanted Oxys? Got them for you.”
One person on the group asked: “Need weapons tomorrow. Machetes, spray cans and pepper sprays.”
Not everyone was happy. One demanded: “Whoever has the source for Rohypnol send it my way.” His photo of two similar-looking packs was labelled: “One of them is Ket.”
But another seller scoffed: “Asking for refund & exchange. Where they think they are? Tescos.”
Last March Home Secretary Amber Rudd called WhatsApp’s encryption “unacceptable” after Westminster terrorist Khalid Masood sent messages on it minutes before killing five people. A FLEET of silver Rolls-Royces formed the cortege as hundreds of travellers paid tribute to big Fat Gypsy Wedding co-star Queenie Doherty yesterday. Queenie, 76, whose son Paddy, 59, won Celebrity big brother, was mourned at Sacred Heart church in Cobham, Surrey. Flags bore the words “Our Queen” in honour of the heart attack victim.