Major Dark Web Crime St crackdown: Operation RapTor Leads to 270 Arrests
In a landmark operation targeting illicit online activities, authorities from ten different countries have successfully apprehended 270 individuals linked to dark web crime, including drug trafficking, weapon sales, and the distribution of counterfeit products. Dubbed Operation RapTor, this initiative marks one of the largest coordinated efforts to combat dark web criminality on a global scale.
Collaborative Efforts and Intelligence Gathering
Executing this extensive operation were Europol in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice’s JCODE task force. The groundwork for Operation RapTor was laid over several months of patient intelligence gathering following the shutdown of numerous notorious dark web marketplaces such as Nemesis, Incognito, Tor2Door, Bohemia, and Kingdom Market. The seizures from these marketplaces were pivotal, granting investigators access to invaluable infrastructure and transaction data, which facilitated the identification of both vendors and buyers operating around the world.
A Comprehensive International Response
The arrests have wide-reaching implications, with significant numbers recorded in the United States (130 arrests), Germany (42), the United Kingdom (37), France (29), South Korea (19), among others. Authorities also seized assets approximating €184 million (around $200 million) in both cash and cryptocurrency. In addition, over two metric tons of drugs, including 144 kilograms of fentanyl, alongside more than 180 firearms and thousands of counterfeit goods were confiscated during the operation.
According to Europol and the DOJ, the broad scope of Operation RapTor underscores the evolving landscape of cybercrime. Criminal activities have increasingly adopted patterns similar to legitimate e-commerce, thriving in environments where secrecy and deception are the norms. Many arrested individuals conducted thousands of transactions, utilizing cryptocurrency and advanced encryption tools to evade detection effectively.
Dark Web Visibility: A New Hope for Law Enforcement
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the significance of this operation, stating, “This historic international seizure of firearms, deadly drugs, and illegal funds will save lives. Criminals cannot hide behind computer screens or seek refuge on the dark web.” This crackdown is particularly crucial in dismantling the supply chains responsible for the proliferation of fentanyl-laced pills, which pose an escalating threat in the ongoing opioid crisis. Some U.S.-based vendors, convicted as part of related inquiries, have been directly linked to tragic overdoses, including efforts that distributed over 120,000 fentanyl-laced pills across the nation.
Targeting the Infrastructure of Dark Web Markets
A critical aspect of Operation RapTor was its emphasis on dismantling not only the sellers but also the underlying marketplace infrastructure. The shutdown of Nemesis Market was particularly influential, as its alleged operator, Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national, was indicted and sanctioned on drug trafficking charges.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division played a vital role in this operation, utilizing sophisticated cryptocurrency forensics to trace illicit transactions. “No digital wallet can hide you from facing justice,” stated DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy, highlighting the effectiveness of these investigative techniques.
Shifts in Dark Web Operations: A Growing Trend
As law enforcement succeeds in shutting down major marketplaces, a noticeable shift is occurring in how dark web vendors operate. Increasingly, criminals are opting for single-vendor shops and smaller, standalone websites that minimize their exposure and risk. Despite the challenges posed by this fragmentation, Operation RapTor’s outcomes suggest that targeted surveillance and intelligence sharing remain effective tools for law enforcement.
This international collaboration involved not only Europol but also various agencies from countries such as Austria, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. U.S. federal entities like the FBI, DEA, and IRS-CI were also key players throughout the operation.
Edvardas Šileris, Europol’s Head of Cybercrime, remarked that Operation RapTor signifies a crucial milestone, but it is merely the beginning of deeper investigations to come. He stated, “The dark web is not beyond the reach of law enforcement, and Europol will continue working with our partners to make the internet safer for everyone.”
