Global police crackdown on dark web nets 350 arrests

Police have arrested 354 people and seized large quantities of drugs, guns and cash in a major global crackdown on users of the "dark web," US and European officials said Thursday.

Europol, the EU police body, said it coordinated a worldwide sting, codenamed "Operation TorNado," with law enforcement partners between May 2025 and October 2026 that resulted in hundreds of raids across the globe.

Most of the arrests came in the United States (132), followed by Britain (59), Hungary (45), Germany (41) and France (23).

"Operation TorNado confronted one of the most urgent public safety threats of our time: the trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly drugs through the dark web," FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia said.

"Working alongside our domestic and international partners, we identified prolific dark net vendors," Raia told reporters at a press conference in Washington.

The authorities "attributed online identities to real-world offenders, traced illicit financial transactions, and dismantled key elements of the infrastructure that enabled these networks to operate," he said.

Europol said in a statement that the operation "highlighted the evolving resilience of dark web marketplaces, which continue to adapt despite takedowns."

But the FBI official said the operation should serve as a "warning" to anyone seeking to "use the dark web to sell fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and other dangerous drugs."

"The anonymity you believe protects you is not a shield," he said. "Whether you operate from a basement, a warehouse, across the street, or across a body of water, we will work relentlessly to stop you."

In Europe, authorities seized nearly one tonne of illicit drugs, including amphetamines, ketamine, MDMA, cocaine and cannabis.

More than 4.8 tonnes of drugs were recovered in the United States, along with 152 firearms and 150 million euros ($166m) in cash and cryptocurrency.

Police forces in 14 countries were involved in the operation, officials said.