Two years later, ads for hard drugs still appearing on Facebook
· Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — Two years after a Postmedia investigation uncovered the ongoing problem of ads selling illegal drugs on the world’s most popular social media platform, the problem appears to be getting worse.
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In March 2024, Facebook’s parent company Meta told Postmedia that changes were in the works to improve their content-monitoring system after revealing scores of paid advertisements on the platform openly selling LSD, unlicensed cannabis and magic mushrooms — at the same time Ottawa was attempting to roll out Bill C-63 , the Trudeau Liberals’ ill-fated online harms bill that died on the order paper when last year’s federal election was called.
Facebook ads include cocaine, counterfeit cash, handguns
But further investigation by the Toronto Sun not only reveals that such ads are still common on Facebook, sellers are now more bold in the wares they’re purportedly offering — ranging from hard drugs like cocaine and heroin, counterfeit Canadian currency and even prohibited firearms.
And just like in 2024, attempts to report the ads result in Facebook’s automated system insisting the ads don’t violate Facebook’s advertising standards.
Many of the ads were placed by companies purporting to be health-care and wellness firms, but feature images of white powder that resemble cocaine, phrases like “you’ll feel it instantly,” images of black No. 8 billiard balls (references to an “8-ball” — or an eighth of an ounce — of cocaine) and assurances of “fast” and “hassle-free” Canadian delivery.
Many of the ads link to just a handful of online retailers, including one openly selling cocaine powder and nasal spray, ketamine, MDA and psilocybin-infused chocolate.
“All orders are vacuum sealed and shipped discreetly & securely through Canada Post Xpresspost,” the website says in its FAQ, advising customers that optional insurance is available in case their shipment doesn’t arrive.
Other ads link to an online store billing itself as a marketplace for the “dark web” with one ad looping the chorus of the song Cocaine by U.S.-based rapper Logic.
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Meta says problem ‘bigger than one platform’
Aside from several varieties of cocaine and crack for sale, this site — which claims to be located within Canada — also offers heroin and even raw poppy heads for sale, as well as counterfeit Canadian currency, cloned credit cards and prohibited firearms.
Handguns purportedly for sale by this website include a 9mm Glock 19 Gen5 pistols for between $450 and $550 and a .357 Magnum for $900.
When contacted by the Toronto Sun, a Meta spokesperson said such ads violate their policies, but sidestepped specific questions on why Facebook’s automated reporting system consistently rejects complaints for ads that clearly violate those policies.
“Content that attempts to buy, sell or trade illicit drugs is not allowed on Facebook or Instagram and we have removed the flagged ads and pages,” the spokesperson said.
“Criminals stop at nothing to try and post prohibited content like this and we have robust measures in place to detect and remove such content. This challenge is bigger than any single platform, requiring measures and collaboration across industries, communities and law enforcement to address it.”
Ads appearing despite supposed stricter policies
Indeed, the specific examples presented to Facebook by the Toronto Sun were removed, but similar ads continue to appear on Meta platforms — even as this story was being written.
In November 2023, Meta said it introduced new, stricter policies to address the sale or promotion of high-risk drugs and claimed all ads are reviewed prior to being published.
They also said they’re targeting ads selling precursor chemicals used to synthesize illicit drugs, claiming they removed nearly four million pieces of content across Meta platforms for violating their drugs policy.