Hundreds of dark web buyers and sellers arrested worldwide

In an international police operation coordinated by Europol, 270 buyers and sellers of illegal goods have been arrested worldwide. In the Netherlands, four individuals were detained.

The operation, named RapTor, targeted dark web marketplaces such as Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia/Cannabia, and Kingdom Markets. These platforms were used to sell drugs, cyberattack services, and other illegal items.

Authorities seized over €184 million in cryptocurrency and cash, along with 200 kg of hard drugs like cocaine and ketamine, 400 kg of illegal tobacco, and 180 firearms. Fake weapons, tasers, and knives were also confiscated.

"Operation RapTor proves that the dark web is not beyond the reach of law enforcement," said Edvardas Šileris, Director of Europol's Cybercrime Centre.

Arrests were made in the US, Brazil, the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany, France, and Switzerland. The US led with 130 arrests, followed by Germany (42) and the UK (37). The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are possible.

This operation follows the 2023 SpecTor action, which resulted in 288 arrests globally.