Dark web raid: Almost 180 arrested as police seize $6.5m and 500kg of drugs
Police forces from around the world have made 179 arrests in a coordinated raid on dark web marketplaces.
More than $6.5million (£5million) in cash and virtual currencies have been seized in the operation, led by German federal officers, as well as 500kg of drugs and 64 guns.
The majority of the suspects, which include four Britons, were traced to the United States.
“The golden age of dark web marketplace is over,” Europol said in a statement.
Drugs seized including fentanyl, oxycodone, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and MDMA.
“Operations such as these highlight the capability of law enforcement to counter encryption and anonymity of dark web marketplaces. Police no longer only takes down such illegal marketplaces – they also chase down the criminals buying and selling illegal goods through such sites.”
Edvardas Sileris, head of Europol's cyber-crime centre, said: “Law enforcement is most effective when working together, and today's announcement sends a strong message to criminals selling or buying illicit goods on the dark web: the hidden internet is no longer hidden and your anonymous activity is not anonymous.”
