An international crackdown on illegal online trade has led to 288 arrests and the seizure of approximately 51 million euros in cash and virtual currency, Europol, the police cooperation agency of the European Union.
“Law enforcement seized the illegal platform (…) Monopoly Market and arrested 288 suspects involved in buying or selling drugs” online, Europol, which coordinated the operation, said in a statement. international event involving nine countries.
In addition to the currencies seized, the agency announced that it had seized 850 kilograms of narcotics and 117 firearms. The operation, dubbed “SpecTor”, is the result of “complementary actions” carried out in France, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil and Swiss.
“Europol has compiled intelligence packages based on valuable evidence provided by German authorities,” Europol said. This information “has served as the basis for hundreds of national investigations,” the office added. Arrested sellers “were also active in other illicit markets”, according to Europol, which pointed out that some of them were “high-value” targets.
Five people arrested on French territory
“We have an interest in working together,” says Catherine De Bolle, executive director of the agency, quoted in the press release. “This operation sends a strong message to criminals operating online,” she continued. Most of the arrests took place in the United States. Five people were arrested on French territory. “Investigations are still ongoing to identify other individuals,” the statement added.
This series of arrests is one of the largest in recent years. In October 2021, a previous operation, dubbed “DarkHunTOR”, led to the arrest of 150 people in nine countries. These people were also suspected of engaging in the online drug trade. Several million euros in cash and virtual currency, as well as drugs and weapons, had been seized.
