Rohas Nagpal Asian School of Cyber Laws - Department of ...

Asian School of Cyber Laws
1.3 Sale of Illegal Articles
It is becoming increasingly common to find cases where sale of illegal
articles such as narcotics drugs, weapons, wildlife etc. is being facilitated
by the Internet. Information about the availability of the products for sale
is being posted on auction websites, bulletin boards etc.
It is practically impossible to control
or prevent a criminal from setting up
a website to transact in illegal
articles. Additionally, there are
several online payment gateways
that can transfer money around the
world at the click of a button.
The Internet has also created a marketplace for the sale of unapproved
drugs, prescription drugs dispensed without a valid prescription, or
products marketed with fraudulent health claims.
Many sites focus on selling
prescription drugs and are referred
to by some as “Internet
pharmacies.” These sites offer for
sale either approved prescription
drug products, or in some cases,
unapproved, illegal versions of
prescription drugs. This poses a
serious potential threat to the health
and safety of patients.
The broad reach, relative
anonymity, and ease of creating
new or removing old websites,
poses great challenges for law
enforcement officials.
Illustration
In March 2007, the Pune rural
police cracked down on an illegal
rave party and arrested hundreds of
illegal drug users. The social
networking site Orkut.com is
believed to be one of the modes of
communication for gathering people
for the illegal “drug” party.
- 6 - © 2008 Rohas Nagpal. All rights reserved.