S.Amdt. 6439

The Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2026 is an amendment to bill S. 4784. Its purpose is to address the use of the dark web by criminals to host illicit materials and distribute illegal goods, specifically targeting the substance abuse crisis and the sale of illegal drugs.

The amendment aims to add the following to the bill:

• New Criminal Offenses: It amends the Controlled Substances Act to make it unlawful to knowingly or intentionally distribute, deliver, or dispense controlled substances via the dark web, or to aid and abet such activities. It also directs the United States Sentencing Commission to increase the sentencing guidelines by 2 levels for these violations.

• Establishment of a Task Force: It creates the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement Task Force within the FBI. This interagency group is designed to detect, disrupt, and dismantle illicit marketplaces. It will include representatives from various agencies, such as the DEA, DOJ, and Department of Defense, and will focus on investigations, cyberforensics, and training for law enforcement and prosecutors.

• Reporting and Accountability:

  • The task force must submit an annual report to the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary detailing its activities, arrests, and effectiveness.
  • The Attorney General must submit a report to Congress regarding the use of virtual currencies in the distribution of opioids through dark web marketplaces.

• Administrative Details: The amendment includes a 5-year sunset provision for the task force and a recommendation that Congress update the definition of the "dark web" at least every 5 years.