270 arrested in global dark web crackdown targeting online drug and criminal networks

The suspects were identified through coordinated investigations based on intelligence from the takedowns of the dark web marketplaces Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia and Kingdom Markets. Many had conducted thousands of sales on illicit marketplaces, using encryption tools and cryptocurrencies to cover their tracks — but law enforcement closed in. This international action follows Operation SpecTor in 2023, which led to 288 arrests. Together, these operations show the increasing ability of law enforcement to penetrate the dark web’s cloak of secrecy. Dark web vendors unmasked The 270 arrests took place in the following countries: United States of America: 130 Germany: 42 United Kingdom: 37 France: 29 South Korea: 19 Austria: 4 The Netherlands: 4 Brazil: 3 Switzerland: 1 Spain: 1 Investigations are ongoing to trace and apprehend more individuals involved in dark web crime. Millions seized, weapons recovered In parallel with the arrests, officers seized: Over EUR 184 million in cash and cryptocurrencies Over 2 tonnes of drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, ketamine, opioids and cannabis Over 180 firearms, along with imitation weapons, tasers and knives 12 500 counterfeit products More than 4 tonnes of illegal tobacco These seizures represent a major disruption to the criminal supply chains that feed the dark web economy. Europol's role Europol supported the action by compiling and analysing intelligence packages based on data from the three seized marketplaces. These packages...