Silk Road forums
Support => Feature requests => Topic started by: NFHC on July 26, 2012, 11:50 am
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It should be a simple and welcome addition to this forum. Is there any Admin or Mod that can expedite the process of creating such a forum for gathering intelligence. This sort of information doesn't quite fit in the Security forum and I know kmfkewm among others would love to post this sort of information appropriately.
Currently intelligence is scattered, found few and far between, buried inside threads. Having this information in a single forum could prove to be very vaulable.
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So what, a dumpster for all the paranoia? I support the idea, but i dont think "intelligence" is the right word....
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Cointelpro....
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I support the idea of a intelligence sub-forum, perhaps nested inside Security. Even a permanent sticky would be better than nothing.
It is not as if it is going to be used by very many people, volume is not the point of an intelligence gathering network, but results, panning for gold in the intelligence stream and usually coming up empty, but a strike makes it all worthwhile.
There are many ideas and technologies that put us on the next level once again, but which are not easy to find information (or parsed, which in my view is the real difficulty) even if most of them are public information.
Just one example is the discovery by zifnab that HDPP plastic dramatically cuts down on particulate transmission through vaccum packing plastic, instead of the more common form of plastic used by the vast majority of vendors. Most especially, our cocaine and marijuana vendors should be aware of this concept. It is a simple no-cost choice that will reduce interceptions by at least 60% - 70%.
Another is that EMP protection bags or portable Faraday cages are very useful for operatives in the field to store communications devices in order to prevent cellular tracking and remote microphone recording attacks.
Another is that IR-leds or dark glasses can be extremely effective, close to 100%, at retarding image recognition technology or CCTV identification if the right kind is used correctly.
Secondly, it is useful to monitor the evolving actions and tactics of the new cyber teams, ICE, specialist DEA operations and so on through the press and word of mouth. It has already been remarked that privnote is almost certainly being promoted by a LEO judging from the intelligence level of the individuals suddenly becoming cognizant of its existence. When traditionally unoriginal people start having original ideas it is because they are being manipulated.
Thirdly, we have many informants in the form of fellow travelers inside the ranks of LE organizations, Customs and Postal services. It would be a shame for their grass roots reports to be lost amongst less important information because enough people did not get to see them or not enough people were able to appreciate them because they didn't visit the forum at the right moment.
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Lastly, it occurs to me that perhaps the management has already considered this proposal several times already but rejected it out of concern that the forum might become a more direct target and/or involve a broader range of people if conspiracy charges were brought against SR. Then it seems to me that the solution is to set up a small independent forum externally to this one, with a prominent link to it in Security. However, I think you can assume that the DEA is by nature not terribly concerned with free speech, will obtain any court orders from a judge with a similar predisposition and will offer irrelevant technobabble soundbites to a confused press if any questions of rights arise. They have, after all, been having their cake and consuming it for a considerably long time on any number of drug related issues, and this will merely be another of them.
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Pine we would like to cryptographcly marry you some day ..we love everyone of your posts !
Thanks for existing here!
EDIT: Should be a read only forum for a few people of knowledge and repertoire.
One thread where anyone can post infos && ideas..mods then release them into the infozone or not..
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Just one example is the discovery by zifnab that HDPP plastic dramatically cuts down on particulate transmission through vaccum packing plastic, instead of the more common form of plastic used by the vast majority of vendors. Most especially, our cocaine and marijuana vendors should be aware of this concept. It is a simple no-cost choice that will reduce interceptions by at least 60% - 70%.
This is interesting, although i've never heard of HDPP, I assume you meant HDPE? But if its HDPE you can't use HDPE's for hermetic sealing that i'm aware of, and I'd guess HDPP would just be referring to PP. I've seen people suggesting using mylar bags, which would make quite a bit of sense, even in the food communities Mylar is far superior for long term storage.
Do you have more information on this or a link?
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This is interesting, although i've never heard of HDPP, I assume you meant HDPE? But if its HDPE you can't use HDPE's for hermetic sealing that i'm aware of, and I'd guess HDPP would just be referring to PP. I've seen people suggesting using mylar bags, which would make quite a bit of sense, even in the food communities Mylar is far superior for long term storage.
Do you have more information on this or a link?
Sorry for the delay. Here is the link and the quoted bits I think relevant to us.
I was talking about polypropylene vs polyethylene, they are quite different.
Macias, Michael S., "The Development of an Optimized System of Narcotic and Explosive Contraband Mimics for Calibration and Training of Biological Detectors" (2009). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 123.
http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/123
[Pine Note: The organization of the study into permeation rates]
3.4.1. Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation System (COMPS)
The chemical compounds used as odor mimic were prepared for presentation to canines
according to the physical appearance of the compounds. Solid compounds were weighed
to various amounts and heat sealed within a polymer bags. Liquid compounds were
spiked onto 2in x 2in sterile gauze pads and heat sealed within LDPE bags. The solid
amounts varied from 5mg to 2g and liquid amounts varied from 1mL to 5mL. The
polymer bags that were used included 3in x 3in 1.5mil, 2mil, 3mil, 4mil LDPE and 2mil
HDPP. The COMPS device was then heat sealed and stored within an aluminized Kapak
bag. Negative controls were created by with blank media (i.e. blank gauze, empty
polymer bags, and blank tea candles).
3.4.2. Permeation of Odor Compounds
Once the COMPS were prepared, they were monitored (weighed) over the course of
twenty-one days to determine the mass loss per time, i.e. the permeation rate through the
polymer bags. At the conclusion of the weighing process, the data was plotted as mass vs.
time. Each sample was made-up in triplicate for statistical purposes. The plotted results
of average mass loss vs. time in days allowed for a calculation of permeation rate and
half-life for each odor compounds through the polymer bags. Empty bags were also heat
sealed and kept in the same environment to use as control samples. These controls
were made in triplicate blanks were kept and monitored concurrently to maintain
a baseline.
[Pine Note: On the two different types of plastic used in the study]
Polymers:
Polyethylene:
Polyethylene is the most commonly encountered polymer used to date. Among its many
commercial uses include items such as grocery bags, shampoo bottles, children's toys,
and even bullet proof vests. The simplest structure of all commercial polymers,
polyethylene, is comprised of a long chain of carbon atoms with two hydrogen atoms
attached to each carbon atom (Figure 11). The structure is referred to as a linear
polyethylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Figure 11 - Polymer Structures [Pine Note: Look at the jpeg in the document]
Within this simple structure, variations/mutations can occur. One mutation consists of the
substitution of additional polyethylene chains in place of the hydrogens (Figure 12).
Referred to as branching, the substitution occurs in low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
LDPE has a lower tensile strength and higher ductility than HDPE. While linear
polyethylene offers a more rigid structure (i.e. it is much stronger), branched
polyethylene is less expensive and easier to make than linear polyethylene.
Polypropylene:
Polypropylene is a versatile polymer that serves as both a plastic and as a fiber. As a
plastic it is used to make things such as dishwasher-safe food containers. Polypropylene
does not melt below 160oC, unlike polyethylene which anneals at 100oC causing dishes to
warp in a dishwasher. As a fiber, polypropylene is used to make indoor-outdoor
carpeting. Because it is easy to color and resistant to water, it is often seen around pools
and miniature-golf courses.
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[Pine Note: How they used the dogs as part of the study.]
3.4.3. Field Trials
Field trials were performed with trained and certified local law enforcement explosive
detection canine teams and drug detection canine teams. The odor aids were presented to
the canines in metal scent/electrical boxes, Sigma PseudoTM Scent Cages, or quart paint
cans. Prior to use, the presentation vessels were cleaned with soap, rinsed with water, and
placed in an oven set to 110ºC for a minimum of 12 hours. After preparation, the odor
samples were presented to the canines in an “odor line-up” by placing the samples on the
floor approximately one meter apart (Figure 15). The handlers were instructed to work
with their detection canines to detail each sample in the line-up utilizing their normal
search pattern. The handlers had no previous knowledge of the compounds or order of
placement in the line-up. Additionally, there was no marking on the containers to indicate
the contents. A positive control and negative control were included in the odor line-ups.
The positive control was an actual explosive sample provided by the police agency at the
time of testing. The negative control was an object from the ambient environment used
for the trial. Forty-three certified drug detection canines and twenty certified explosive detection
canines participated in this study. Field test attendance varied from three to ten canines at
any given test. For data collection, analysis, and result reporting purposes, each canine
was assigned an individual three digit identification code. The code system also groups
the canine teams into the explosive or drug detection category.
[Pine Note: Finally the Paragraph that has us excited about HDPP's potential]:
As expected, the permeation rate is affected by the thickness of the LDPE bags (Table
15). The thinner the polymer bag, the faster the permeation rate (250ng/sec for 1.5mil
bag); conversely, the thicker the polymer bag, the slower the permeation rate (142ng/sec
for 4mil bag). The low density form means that there is less organization to the
polyethylene structure because of branching (see section 2.5). This branching creates
gaps, and the larger gaps, the easier it is for the compounds to pass through the polymer.
Thicker polyethylene does not necessarily equate to a more structured form, but it does
provide a thicker weave of polyethylene branches through which the compound must
pass. The increased time the compound spends passing though the polymer matrix
reduces the permeation rate of the compound. Permeation through the HDPP bag was
substantially lower than the thickest LDPE bags (19ng/sec vs. 142ng/s). The reduction in
permeation rate can be explained though the nature of a high density polymer and the
polypropylene structure. The rigidity of the isotactic blocks found in polypropylene
coupled with the high linearity characteristic of the high density form greatly reduces the
available openings the compound to pass through resulting in a slower permeation rate.
[Pine note: The Statistics]:
Table 15 - Piperonal permeation rate values by bag thickness
Bag Thickness (mil) Permeation Rate (ng/sec)
1.5 250 ± 10
2 208± 6
3 173 ± 18
4 142 ± 4
HD (2mil) 19 ± 5
Vendor Comment: Fuck yeah.
Finally, they are extremely easy to obtain.
Here is just one example of a website selling them:
http://discountpolypropylenebags.co.uk/
And why what a wonderfully informative site it is too!
What are Polypropylene bags?
Polypropylene poly bags are made from virgin polypropylene plastic. Polypropylene bags are versatile, attractive bags most commonly used for packaging small items such as beads and lollies. These bags can be sealed with a heat sealer like many other plastic bags. While polypropylene is similar to cello, polypropylene bags are much clearer with neater seals, and have the advantage of being less expensive than cello bags.
Polypropylene poly bags have been the choice for product presentation and preserving freshness. Polypropylene poly bags are a high clarity crystal clear bag which enhances the product's image. They provide a highly protective barrier against moisture, dirt and vapors and meet FDA and EFSA specifications for food content. Polypropylene bags also referred as 'Polyprop bags' or 'PP bags'.
These bags are by far the most popular for give away because of both its price and features. They are mainly used for displays.
History of Polypropylene
Professor Giulio Natta produced the first polypropylene resin in Spain in 1954. Natta utilised catalysts developed for the polyethylene industry and applied the technology to propylene gas. Commercial production began in 1957 and polypropylene usage has displayed strong growth from this date. The versatility of the polymer (the ability to adapt to a wide range of fabrication methods and applications) has sustained growth rates enabling PP to challenge the market share of a host of alternative materials in plethora of applications.
[Pine Note: "plethora of applications" No fucking shit! :D :D :D]
Properties of Polypropylene
(Semi-rigid, translucent, good chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance, integral hinge property, good heat resistance).
Production of polypropylene takes place by slurry, solution or gas phase process, in which the propylene monomer is subjected to heat and pressure in the presence of a catalyst system. Polymerisation is achieved at relatively low temperature and pressure and the product yielded is translucent, but readily coloured. Differences in catalyst and production conditions can be used to alter the properties of the plastic.
PP does not present stress-cracking problems and offers excellent electrical and chemical resistance at higher temperatures. While the properties of PP are similar to those of Polyethylene, there are specific differences. These include a lower density, higher softening point (PP doesn't melt below 160oC, Polyethylene, a more common plastic, will anneal at around 100oC) and higher rigidity and hardness. Additives are applied to all commercially produced polypropylene resins to protect the polymer during processing and to enhance end-use performance.
[Pine Note: This is interesting too]
CPP or cast polypropylene film is a multilayer polypropylene film with co-polymer and homo-polymer. It is used as a heat seal layer along with BOPP or polyester film in a laminate for packing of food articles. CPP films have been known in the packaging field to be the more elegant brother of polyethylene film, with higher gloss, greater transparency and better heat resistance.
[Pine Note:
I translate that to: certain types of HDPP should be the gold standard for long trips to hot places like Australia. Food Science you are unloved but we think you are the awesomest of all the sciences except maybe chemistry.]
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That was pretty TLDR, so basically vendors are up to 1215.78% or ~10 times less likely to have packages intercepted due to electronic drug detection devices and dogs if they use HDPP plastic. It's not massively relevant in terms of the overall volume picture, probably more packages are lost than intercepted, but it *does* matter hugely to the vendor in terms of the risks he or she is taking.
P.S. 60% - 70% less likely I said before? Boy was I off the mark.
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At 12 times the protection, if I was a vendor of illegal powders, I would advertise to my customers that I exclusively use HDPP, for their security.