BRUSSELS: Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, announced on Tuesday that nearly 300 people believed to be involved in illegal trade on an online marketplace known as the dark web have been arrested in a worldwide operation targeting the “Monopoly Market.”
The arrests were made following a series of raids in several countries. According to Europol, more than 50.8 million Euros ($53.4 million) in cash, 850 kilograms of drugs, virtual currencies, and 117 weapons were seized.
The operation was a joint effort by law enforcement agencies across three continents, and Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, stated in a statement, “Our coalition of law enforcement officials across three continents proves that we all perform better when we work together.”
She added, “This operation sends a strong message to all criminals on the dark web: International law enforcement has the ability and the means to identify and make you accountable for your criminal activities, even on the dark web.”
The apprehended suspects are believed to have been involved in the illegal trade of drugs, weapons, and other illicit services and goods on the dark web, a place where criminals and terrorists exchange trade and services without being traced due to network encryption.
Europol’s statement noted that the seized drugs included 43 kilograms (95 pounds) of cocaine, over 258 kilograms (569 pounds) of amphetamines, 43 kilograms, over 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of ecstasy pills and LSD, and (95 pounds) of MDMA.
Individuals behind dark web accounts
The largest number of apprehensions were made in the United States, with 153, followed by the United Kingdom (UK) with 55 and Germany with 52. However, the investigation to identify additional individuals behind dark web accounts is still ongoing. As law enforcement authorities gained access to thousands of customers, the vendors’ extensive buyer lists across the globe are now at risk of prosecution as well.
The operation came after Europol collected information on evidence from Germany, which it said seized the criminal infrastructure of the marketplace in December 2021.
German and US authorities had previously taken down the “Hydra” market of the dark web in April last year. The agency stated that several investigations are still underway to identify additional suspects involved in illegal activities on the dark web.
The latest crackdown sends a clear message to criminals using the dark web that they are not beyond the reach of international law enforcement agencies.
