Dark-web crackdown brings 354 arrests and more than $234 million in seizures
Operation TorNado targeted vendors and buyers on major dark-web markets across 14 countries, with drugs, firearms, cash and cryptocurrency seized.
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- 12 November 2026
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Hundreds arrested across 14 countries
The Justice Department and Europol announced that Operation TorNado led to 354 arrests connected to dark-web drug markets and related criminal activity. The operation ran from May 2025 through October 2026 and included investigations in the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Europol reported 132 arrests in the United States and 59 in the United Kingdom, with additional arrests in Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Slovenia. Authorities said some inquiries remain active as investigators work to identify people behind vendor accounts. [1] [2]
Drugs, firearms and money seized
US officials said the combined operation seized more than $234 million in cash and virtual currency, about 5.7 metric tons of drugs, 209 firearms and 38 pill presses. The narcotics included fentanyl and other opioids, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and MDMA. Europol separately detailed European seizures that included amphetamines, ketamine, cannabis, cocaine and more than one million prescription tablets. The figures combine numerous national cases rather than one prosecution, and individual suspects will face different charges and procedures in the countries where they were investigated. [1] [2]
Investigators followed marketplaces after takedowns
Europol said investigators used information obtained after the disruption of dark-web markets including Archetyp, Bohemia, Nemesis, Kingdom and Tor2Door. Agencies compared account data, cryptocurrency records and forensic material to connect online aliases with suspected vendors and buyers. The U.S. Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team described TorNado as its largest action against dark-web narcotics vendors. Officials said suspects also used single-vendor shops, forums and encrypted messaging platforms, meaning the inquiry extended beyond the five named marketplaces. [1] [2]
Cases now move through national courts
The announcement did not provide a single list of defendants or outcomes. Each arrest must be followed by charging decisions, disclosure of evidence and court proceedings under the applicable national law. Authorities said the operation targeted criminal enterprises selling fentanyl and other drugs to tens of thousands of U.S. residents, but an arrest total is not a conviction count. Europol will continue supporting cross-border evidence exchange and cryptocurrency tracing, while U.S. prosecutors proceed with individual cases identified through the operation. [1] [2]
Arrests span different legal systems and allegations
The operation’s headline totals combine cases handled by many countries, each with its own evidentiary rules and court process. An arrest may concern selling, purchasing, laundering proceeds or facilitating a marketplace, and does not establish guilt. Prosecutors must connect individual defendants to particular accounts, shipments and transactions rather than rely solely on a screen name. Cryptocurrency tracing can show flows between wallets, but investigators commonly pair it with undercover purchases, postal seizures, device evidence and records obtained from exchanges. Extradition and asset-forfeiture proceedings may continue long after the coordinated announcement. Authorities said the investigation remains active and further arrests or charges are possible. Individual charging documents, rather than the aggregate operational totals, will show what evidence is alleged against each accused person. [1] [2]
Sources & further reading
- International Law Enforcement Operation Targeting Opioid and Fentanyl Traffickers on the Dark Web ↗U.S. Department of Justice · 2026-11-12 · Primary source
- 354 dark web vendors and buyers arrested in Europol-coordinated global crackdown ↗Europol · 2026-11-12
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