Counteracting forbidden advertising of online sale of drugs

In view of the increase in drug trafficking offences committed through the use of information and telecommunications technologies, the state must seek effective ways to reduce the drug market. Counteracting illegal advertising of drugs and their marketing addresses on the Internet (Darknet) is a promising area of prevention that has been underestimated to date. The purpose of the article is to determine the main directions of Russia’s criminal policy in the field of counteracting open and veiled advertising of online stores selling drugs in a non-contact manner. Methods of statistics, content analysis of Internet resources, systemic, formal-logical and legal analysis are used. Results: illegal advertising in the area of drug trafficking is an independent direction of professional criminal activity, using marketing techniques tested in the legal economy. The advertisement of online drug stores on urban infrastructure facilities, regular websites and social media helps to expand the reach of drug users. Efforts to combat illicit drug advertising, including the criminalization of such advertising, should be part of Russia’s criminal policy.