Global Crackdown Nets 270 Dark Web Vendors in Major Arrests

A sweeping international crackdown, codenamed Operation RapTor, has dealt a significant blow to the criminal underworld operating on the dark web.

Coordinated by Europol and involving agencies across four continents, the operation resulted in the arrest of 270 individuals involved in trafficking drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods, and illicit services.

This marks one of the largest global actions against cyber-enabled crime to date, sending a clear message to those who believe the dark web offers anonymity and impunity.

Coordinated Intelligence and Technical Tactics

According to the report, Operation RapTor’s success hinged on sophisticated intelligence gathering and technical forensics.

Authorities capitalized on data seized from major dark web marketplaces—Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia, and Kingdom Market—following their takedowns.

Investigators analyzed transaction logs, user communications, and blockchain trails to identify vendors and buyers who had conducted thousands of illicit trades.

Many suspects relied on end-to-end encryption, anonymizing networks like Tor, and cryptocurrencies ...