Up your Stealth!

After I have seen the stealth of about ten different vendors, I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss how it can (easily) be improved. Below are some ideas, but let me start with:

Customers: Do not give 5-star reviews for unimaginative stealth!

As a customer, you are responsible to incentivise vendors to constantly up their game - it may well save you some jail time or a ruined career and/or private life some day! A silver baggie folded into blank paper does not stand up to scrutiny when the envelope is opened (accidentally or by customs) and should be rated as mediocre, because it can easily be improved.

Vendors

CREATE A STORY! Your mailings should tell the story of a legal, common mail transaction and all parts that you can influence should fit that story. So let's go through these variables:

Postage: I'll start with this because you may not have complete freedom here and your story depends on what you (have to) choose.

Basics: Make absolutely sure you put enough postage on your mailings. Make absolutely sure that stamps (if used) will stick to the envelope (fresh, self-adhesive or using the proper amount of moisture)

Discussion: Most mail today is sent in bulk by large businesses (banks etc.) and in a perfect world, that is what you would go with. Unfortunately, these self-franking systems are probably not available anonymously in your country. Maybe you have access to a large mailroom and can channel your mail through that? If not, and you have to resort to stamps, that will limit your story to those that naturally include stamps. Example: credit card statements could be excellent stealth because they're very common. But a credit card statement with a stamp on it dropped in a mailbox somewhere in a small town? That story doesn't make sense. Don't use it.

Given that you're limited to stamps, the next question is: what's a typical legal letter today that uses a stamp? I'd say it is (a) private letters and (b) small businesses and I'd go with (b) for my story because it's probably larger in volume and it makes some of the next steps easier. It's also more natural, because you basically are a small business.

Customer Addresses

Basics: Find out the format your mail carrier recommends. The country, for example, should usually be written in capital letters. Tell your customers the format to use and use an automated method to check it. Make sure the address label (if used) firmly sticks to the envelope. Make sure the full address can always be seen when using windowed envelopes.

Discussion: What's your story again? Make sure the customer address fits in. Private letters are often hand-addressed so if you want to use that story, break out the pen. That's also why the 'private letter' may not be a good idea: You don't want to handwrite addresses (time, possibility of errors, traceable handwriting). So you're printing either directly on the envelope, on address labels or using windowed envelopes. Most businesses would probably use either labels or windowed envelopes. Make sure they match the professionality someone would expect for the story you chose. For example, I once received a letter purporting to be from a medium-sized company with the address printed on standard paper, unevenly cut with scissors and glued to the envelope. TERRIBLE STEALTH! The story doesn't add up and the label could easily come off. When the label comes halfway off, the envelope gets stuck in a machine, ripped open and your customer is fucked.

Return Address

Basics: It should be a real address. It should be somewhere close to the mailbox you're using. It should be formatted correctly. It should usually be printed on the back (check your mailer).

Discussion: This is actually the main part of the story you're telling because it will usually include a business name and that name is the main clue of your story. Make up a good name for your type of business. Make sure someone looking at the letter instantly 'gets' the story, i. e. include the type of business you're pretending to be either in the name or in a slogan or something else.

Envelope

Basics: Buy the highest-quality envelopes you can find that match your story. Make sure the flap securely stays closed

Discussion: I'd say that usually, self-adhesive flaps are preferrable. They reduce the possibility of error when moisturizing manually. You also don't want to lick the flap (DNA). Make sure you use the right paper quality and format for your story. Private letters don't use windowed envelopes. Businesses (usually) don't use those heavy-paper envelopes you'd use for a wedding invite.

The Content

Basics: Always include paper. Print something on the paper. Use enough paper to make it hard to feel the product when holding the letter

Discussion: This will take the most time. You want to create some content that fits your story. Usually that will include at least a form letter with some text that makes sense. Make sure to check spelling & grammar or consider copying the content of some real business. Consider creating or copying extensive content like printed brochures, invites etc. These may allow you to hide the product more effectively.

The Product

I can't say much about this because I don't know enough about the details involved. I'm also under the impression that most vendors get this right - although I can't check for parameters like smell and susceptibility to x-ray etc.

Discussion: This is a bit hard, but maybe there are ways to come up with a story that naturally explains why you're sending out a bag of powder or whatever your product is. Check for legal products that resemble yours and how they're packaged. Possibly individualize the actual product packaging with a product name, parts number, expiration date etc.

Examples

The Wedding Invite

I advised against private mailings above, but one exception might be a wedding invite. It's one of a few types of private mailings that is usually produced in bulk, addressed with a printer etc. Return address: should include two names, one male one female with different last names Customer address: Would usually be printed on a label Envelope: Would usually be high-quality paper with noticeable texture and a deep, V-shaped flap (possibly depending on your location). Should contain some obvious clues that this is a wedding invite (because it's hard to to in the addresses) but those clues should interfere with automatic recognition of postage and addresses (i. e.: on the back only). Content: An invitation printed on high-quality paper. Copy a real example!

The Wedding Photos

A variation of the above, but this time you're sending out one or two photos and a thank you note after the wedding. The photos are useful for hiding the product. Paper stock could be lower quality

The product sample

You're a small reseller in the business of selling powder, let's say it's an industrial coating. Your products should be labeled with numbers, names etc - possibly find something real. You'd use a cover letter thanking the customer for his interest. This also allows you to print the address on that letter and use a windowed envelope. Make sure to include a (possibly photocopied) price list.

The brochure

You're a travel agency specializing in African Safaris. Include a cover letter and a high-quality brochure of, say, a travel package or a specific hotel. The brochure could have a heavy cover with an inside flap for the product. Hey, why not go all the way and create a website for your business. (Maybe you'll even get some customers and turn all legal in the process).

Also

Most printers today encode their serial number in invisible dots on each page. Make sure to buy your printer with cash.


Comments


[10 Points] sweapsteak:

I once recieved some cannabis from a vendor that followed a lot of these principles, I didn't even realise what it was until I had fully opened it. I won't go into too much detail but the package had a return address sticker which was a seemingly legit business. Inside was an invoice for some product related to the business, and the "product" itself which was professingly packaged in a sealed foil bag. There was a serial number and description for the "product" on the foil bag. Once the foil bag was opened there was a hard plastic container with the weed inside in a sealed plastic bag. I can only conclude that the business was indeed legit, and that the owner or an employee were selling drugs on the side.


[8 Points] None:

meth?

overall good guide though. I could see smaller vendors doing this, but ones who process lots of orders per day would be less down. just would be too much extra cost/effort. some vendors do offer decoys for an extra fee, which I think is cool.

when I first ordered off the deepweb, I was expecting some crazy stealth. to this day, my first order's stealth was the worst I've received. it just came wrapped up in a whole bunch of bags, in a few envelopes. no vac seal/mbb. I was blown away by how little effort the vendor put into packaging it.


[8 Points] PhriskyDingough:

Most vendors these days aren't even trying. Back in the days of SR1 I used to get some really interesting packs. I got a book about the band Hanson once. That was cool. I got a few DVDs. We're not really supposed to talk about stealth here, but the best i've ever seen is putting the goods inside of cheap consumer electronics. I'm sure some vendors have some old game cartridges laying around. You could put an 8th in an old nintendo 64 game.
The real problem is that all takes extra time, and a lot of extra money if you're shipping out 10+ packs a day, but it will make a difference if the pack is opened at a border or if, god forbid, it gets put in the wrong mailbox in your apartment building.
Weed vendors don't even try anymore. Put the shit in a tea box or something man.... Stealth only really matters when you're shipping huge orders. I want my pounds to be stealth. I want several sheets of acid to be stealth for sure.
I'd even like it if a quarter ounce of powder was stealth.
Vendors though, will not appreciate getting less than 5 star ratings, and customers are afraid of giving them less than perfect reviews for fear of being blacklisted or sent a short bag or ignored.
Return addresses are key! And switch them up! Don't use the same one for months on end. Make up a new company every month!


[4 Points] stickykitty1:

Thanks for taking the time to write this, some good info. Some feedback:


[3 Points] None:

[deleted]


[3 Points] None:

Businesses dont use goddamn stamps. When have you ever gotten mail from a business that used stamps? They use postal meters. Postal meters are traceable. Not cool.

Mailing with business addresses is WAY easier to profile than personal addresses.


[3 Points] ramjambamalam:

Part of the problem is that this subreddit explicitly discourages discussing stealth.

Rule 12: Don't post stealth details

Security through obscurity is no security at all, and I urge the moderators to repeal this "head in the sand" approach to stealth.


[3 Points] SrslyNotACop:

ONLY DISCUSSING BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE 5 YEARS AGO: From SR1 I ordered some drugs. The two best stealth things I EVER saw were both international orders. One the drug was fucking disguised as a sample of some washing machine soap....even a measuring cup came with it and a legit thank you letter and everything!

Second best was lipstick. Two things of lipstick and a receipt and everything. Had to really look to find everything.

Also had some awesome shit come in like food, toys etc for just domestic. Today though? Omg just got a couple orders of vac. sealed product in a bag. Nothing else. Like wtf I'm not sure how this became the standard but w/e gotta do what ya gotta do.


[3 Points] aboutthednm:

I once received a sample of LSD, on a regular piece of paper, the sender told me to eat the top right corner of the paper, and the bottom left one.

I called bullshit, ate both corners, tripped my nuts off for the rest of the day.


[2 Points] None:

goodman12345's stealth is off the chain (assuming it's as good as or better than what he used to do). Threw out the product and even tried eating something that wasn't the drug hahaha. Luckily I was able to get the product from the garbage can.


[2 Points] highbillymays:

i even read some of that


[2 Points] s0bm:

My two faves are trip with science and a vendor that shipped a small amount of powder in a very small bag, slipped between two trading cards for a popular game in a plastic sleeve with a short invoice or note. Fits in a regular envelope


[2 Points] None:

This needs to be pinned on the top of the sub or something. Seriously. For me, especially, stealth is so important, because the customs here are so strict.


[1 Points] justpassinbuy:

Never have I seen bad stealth outside of Exxxplosive which was a long clear white paper USPS envelope with foil around goods. I was surprised it made it to a friends and for domestic it took a month. .Moral only mess with good reputable vendors with reviews.


[1 Points] None:

Dude....order some meth from Mr. Super Mario :-) Took me almost a half hour to find it :-)


[1 Points] None:

Most stuff I get comes in mailing/"jiffy" bags, and the better vendors use objects in there to break up the feel of any substances- some computer cabling, a bar of chocolate, a cheap pack of playing cards e.t.c

The main thing is to prevent accidental discovery- like a torn envelope e.t.c, as if LEO have a reason to open your pack under suspicion they will probably find it no matter how good your decoys are.


[1 Points] highmeme:

some interesting ideas here. I think stealth can be overdone. I would guess dogs are the main threat but after that its xrays, at least internationaly. So doing something like hiding weed in an electronic device is going to look pretty suspicious in an xray I would think.


[0 Points] GreenMatters:

So many buyers here have no idea what they're talking about; but they're still acting like they have any idea what it is to be a full-time vendor on the DNMs... That's funny.


[-1 Points] speedfleek:

I got a few sentences in and realized you have no idea how to run a vendor account. You're an arm chair vendor. Please shut the fuck up and stick to what you know. Channel it into a mail room? Your cover business ideas are laughable and unimaginative, everything is a recap of the first day of Vendor School. Go fucking read more. I don't even know what other dumb shit was said in this thread. I'm not going to give myself headache.