Operation RapTor Nets 270 Dark Web Arrests, Seizes $184M in Cash
Operation RapTor, a large-scale international law enforcement operation, has resulted in 270 arrests of dark web vendors and buyers across four continents. Europol, leading the effort, seized a significant amount of cash, drugs, firearms, and counterfeit goods.
The operation, conducted on May 23, 2025, targeted fentanyl and opioid trafficking, along with other illicit goods and services sold on the dark web. It builds on the success of Operation SpecTor in 2023, which led to 288 arrests and the seizure of millions in cash and drugs.
Operation RapTor saw the seizure of $184m in cash and cryptocurrencies, over two tons of drugs, over 180 firearms, 12,500 counterfeit products, and over four tons of illegal tobacco. Europol played a crucial role in the takedown by compiling and analysing intelligence packages, supporting national authorities.
The operation demonstrated a shift in the dark web landscape, with criminal actors opting for smaller, independent shops to minimize risk and circumvent marketplace fees. Many suspects had conducted thousands of sales on illicit marketplaces, using encryption tools and cryptocurrencies to cover their tracks. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national accused of being behind Nemesis Market.
Operation RapTor, led by Europol and involving government agencies from ten countries, has shown the international cooperation's commitment to dismantling dark web criminal activities. The operation's success highlights the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations in combating the evolving dark web landscape.
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