A joint operation coordinated by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, with support from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, has resulted in the arrest of 288 dark web vendors.
Code-named “SpecTor,” the operation was a result of the seizure, previously unknown, of a Dark Web marketplace called Monopoly Market on December 20, 2021. Monopoly Market was not shut down immediately, but continued operating under law enforcement control. They used their control to collect data and evidence that led to arrests of sellers. The dark web, a part of the internet that is only accessible with special software, is an area where there are many shady activities.
Monopoly Market was founded around 2019 as a drug-only market, with most online references suggesting that it wasn’t a particularly large site. Dark Net One described it as “caring about the well-being” of its customers, as users were required to go through several hoops to confirm they could be phished by a link they received from an unreliable source. It had eight sections, including benzos and cannabis as well as dissociatives like ecstasy. Other categories included pharmaceuticals, psychoactives, steroids, stimulants, and psychedelics.
About 153 Monopoly Market sellers were arrested in America, followed by another 55 in Britain, 52 in Germany and 10 each in Holland, Austria, France and Switzerland. Although the arrests based were a result of an investigation into the Monopoly Market, the vendors had also been active in other illicit markets.
The police seized 50.8 Million Euros (55.93 millions USD) worth of cash, cryptocurrency and drugs. They also seized 117 guns. Amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA, and LSD were among the drugs seized.
Law enforcement may use the data and lists gathered by vendors to find their clients.
As part of the operation, German police, in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement authorities, also shut down Hydra Market in April 2022. Hydra Market had a claimed market share around 80% in April 2022, which made it the largest dark-web marketplace.
“This operation sends a strong message to criminals on the dark web: international law enforcement has the means and the ability to identify and hold you accountable for your illegal activities, even on the dark web,” Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said in a statement today.