The Rise of “Uber Shit”: Home Delivery of narcotics

The illicit drug trade has undergone a important conversion, mirroring the convenience-driven trends of modern commerce. Ordering cocaine, as a notable example, has become as straightforward as ordering a pizza. This shift, accelerated by periods of confinement, has led to a boom in home delivery services for narcotics. Customers now place orders via platforms like Snapchat or encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, receiving their desired substances at their doorsteps in under 30 minutes. This system, sometiems referred to as Uber Shit, eliminates the need for conventional, often risky, meeting points.

Johan, a 34-year-old commercial director living near the Luxembourg border, has exclusively used this delivery method as 2018. He finds it practical, especially in the evenings, contrasting it with the cheesy, dirty, and somewhat risky nature of traditional deal points. He prefers the user-friendly experience of ordering via WhatsApp. Johan has approximately two grams of cocaine delivered each month, either to his home or his workplace parking lot. According to Johan, the cocaine is discreetly packaged, often disguised within chewing gum or Haribo candy packs. He notes that a gram costs him 100 euros in Luxembourg, while the same amount woudl cost around 60 euros in Paris or Lyon.

Marketing Tactics in the Drug Trade: Competition and Customer Retention

The competition among drug networks is fierce,pushing dealers to adopt sophisticated marketing strategies to attract and retain customers. These tactics include promotions, freebies, and even loyalty cards. Violette, a 30-year-old cannabis consumer in eastern France, explains:

Dealers understood that it was a business like any other. They use references of manga or childish culture (Naruto,One Piece,Bob the Sponge,My Little Pony,Franklin…),in order to make us forget that it is drugs. Some have pushed the thing until they buffer loyalty cards with a cannabis flower stamp.

Violette, who spends up to 50 euros on cannabis weekly, has received gifts such as pipes at Weed or smoke boxes. She notes that even the packaging, or pochons, has become a marketing tool, with some consumers collecting and displaying them as art. This normalization can lead to a perception of drug use as recreational, akin to candy for adults.

In cities like Paris and Lyon, some networks employ individuals who directly approach people on the street, offering samples and business cards. In Febuary, dealers in Poisat (Isère), near Grenoble, even distributed advertisements in residents’ mailboxes. Social media platforms are also rife with advertising, further encouraging consumption.

Quality Control and the Diversification of Delivery Personnel

For consumers like Johan, product quality is paramount, leading him to regularly switch suppliers. He has also observed a diversification in the profile of delivery personnel, with women being frequently employed. According to Me Jérémy Laloum, a criminal lawyer in Paris:

Network heads have noticed that women, the elderly or couples attracted the attention of the police.

The Role of online Commerce and Postal Services in Drug Trafficking

The surge in online commerce has also impacted the drug trade, with some consumers opting for delivery via postal services. A June 2024 report by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Trends (OFDT) notes that the increased volume of parcels reduces the effectiveness of controls. Users frequently enough take precautions, such as paying with cryptocurrency or using modified identities, to avoid detection. Many source products from Dutch websites, which offer a wider range of narcotics than traditional networks.

The Coexistence of Traditional and Modern Drug Markets

Despite the rise of online and home delivery services, traditional drug markets have not disappeared. Me Jérémy Laloum emphasizes that deal points and home delivery coexist, with senior executives and higher socio-professional categories favoring the convenience and security of home delivery. Though, in the Paris region, the purchase of certain drugs, such as heroin, still primarily occurs thru traditional supply methods.