Global Operation Leads to Arrest of 270 Dark Web Vendors and Buyers by Law Enforcement Agencies

Following a comprehensive global enforcement initiative, 270 individuals involved in dark web transactions have been apprehended as part of ‘Operation RapTor.’ This multinational crackdown involved collaboration among law enforcement agencies from ten nations, targeting both vendors and purchasers operating in illicit online marketplaces.

Authorities from Europe, South America, Asia, and the United States have successfully confiscated over €184 million ($207 million) in cash and cryptocurrency, along with more than two tonnes of illegal drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, ketamine, opioids, and cannabis, as well as 180 firearms.

Europol reported, “A global law enforcement operation coordinated by Europol has significantly disrupted the criminal underground, resulting in the arrest of 270 associates of dark web transactions across ten countries.” The agency noted that the operation aimed to dismantle networks engaged in the trafficking of drugs, firearms, and counterfeit items, thereby delivering a decisive message to those who consider themselves shielded by anonymity.

The identification of suspects, many of whom were linked to thousands of illicit sales, was facilitated by intelligence garnered from previous operations that dismantled several major dark web marketplaces. These include notable platforms such as Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia, and Kingdom Market.

The majority of arrests were made in the United States (130), followed by Germany (42), the United Kingdom (37), France (29), and South Korea (19). Additional suspects were detained in the Netherlands, Austria, Brazil, Spain, and Switzerland.

Edvardas Šileris, Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, stated, “Operation RapTor demonstrates that the dark web is not outside law enforcement’s reach.” He emphasized, “Through enhanced cooperation and intelligence sharing, officers from four continents successfully identified and detained these suspects, conveying a clear warning to those who believe they can operate undetected. Europol remains committed to partnering with law enforcement agencies to enhance internet safety for all users.”

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team, in conjunction with Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), is continuing to analyze evidence gathered in prior operations in an effort to trace additional suspects connected to dark web activities.

This operation follows the earlier success of Operation SpecTor in 2023, which led to 288 arrests of dark web participants and the seizure of €50.8 million ($55.9 million) in various currencies.

Previous significant operations have included “DisrupTor” in 2020, which targeted vendors on the dark web and resulted in 179 arrests, in addition to Operation Dark HunTOR, which dismantled 150 high-volume darknet sellers. Moreover, in April 2022, a cooperative effort between German and U.S. authorities resulted in the closure of Hydra, believed to be the world’s largest dark web marketplace, which had facilitated drug sales and money laundering through over 19,000 seller accounts serving more than 17 million customers globally.