New Mexico Sun

Albuquerque law enforcement officials say drug dealers are using a little-known app to find customers and commit crimes. Telegram, an app that has been around since 2013, is being used to sell drugs in New Mexico, APD officials said during a recent summit on the fentanyl crisis. The app has 500 million users globally, but only now is becoming popular in the United States.

According to a KOB report, Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app similar to WhatsApp but is catered more toward large group chats. Its end-to-end encryption which blocks third parties from viewing messages in chatrooms is a popular feature. Law enforcement officials said those privacy features make it easier to buy and sell illegal drugs, including fentanyl.

“I’ll warn you guys right now, the app we’re seeing is now Telegram,” APD Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock said during the summit. “They might display pictures of (fentanyl), videos of it, price list of it and then they’re going to set the whole drug deal up over the app.”

Hartsock also said the app is linked to other crimes in Albuquerque, including a homicide and child exploitation.

While the app’s terms of service prohibit the promotion of violence, Hartsock said social media companies don’t always police themselves. The app is not subject to a legal order or search warrants because it is not based in the U.S.

“On paper, they’re against it,” Hartsock said. “Are they always empowered to completely stop it? No, not necessarily.”

Hartsock says the app is no more dangerous than other social media platforms. “Don’t get so focused on Telegram,” he said. “Be focused on any medium kids are using. That medium could be the bus stop, by the way."