Data Mining

A funny article in the Atlantic.
One day a drug dealer bought a particular digital scale—the AWS-100— on Amazon.com. Several others buy as well. Eventually a profile develops so, if someone orders that scale, an "others who bought this also bought..." reference is attached that includes baggies, encapsulating machine, a Dr. Pepper can safe, and gun cleaning equipment.

Here is the complete list of suggested items--with the author's helpful comments:

Many "spice" grinders

Pipe screens

A rolling paper and tray bundle

Bulk pure caffeine powder (perhaps to cut heroin?)

Baggies

More baggies

Skull baggies

Pot-leaf baggies

An encapsulation machine and gelatin capsules

A scientific spatula

A diamond tester (?!)

"Air Tight Odorless Medical Jar Herb Stash Medicine Container"

Digital caliper

Tweezer and snifter set for "miners and prospectors"

A tool for cleaning a gun part

A safe in the form of a Dr. Pepper can

Potassium Metabisulfite (for decontamination?)

A drug testing kit ("this kit contains the same reagent chemicals as found in Justice Department test kits")

A really powerful magnet

"TAP DAT ASH" ashtray

Beta alanine powder (maybe for bodybuilders?)

An actual drug called kratom (big in Thailand, apparently)

 

Now Amazon is actually giving a shopping list for drug sellers and, presumably, would-be drug sellers.

More, this is a pretty simple data mining project. Imagine what serious miners--like law enforcement--can do..

So be careful what you put your name to. And don't buy a scale for a friend.