Global Operation ‘RapTor’ Leads to Record-Breaking Dark Web Takedown
In one of the most sweeping international crackdowns on dark web crime to date, law enforcement agencies from around the world have joined forces to dismantle major online trafficking networks. The operation, dubbed “Operation RapTor,” resulted in hundreds of arrests and the largest-ever seizure of illegal assets linked to dark web activity, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Coordinated across 10 countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, France, Brazil, South Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland—the joint initiative led to the arrest of 270 individuals suspected of operating as vendors, buyers, or administrators on underground marketplaces.
Authorities confiscated over $200 million in cash and cryptocurrency, more than two metric tons of narcotics, and 144 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced substances. In addition, over 180 firearms were recovered, many of which had been used in illegal transactions or discovered during the arrests.
Officials described the operation as a landmark victory for international cybercrime enforcement. The DOJ confirmed that it marks the largest seizure in the history of the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) program, which targets the online sale of opioids and other illicit substances.
“This operation underscores the growing coordination between law enforcement agencies across borders to disrupt online criminal networks,” said one DOJ official. “The dark web is not beyond the reach of international justice.”
Representatives from the FBI and DEA emphasized that digital marketplaces trafficking synthetic opioids—particularly fentanyl—pose one of the most significant global threats today. These substances have fueled skyrocketing overdose rates, especially in the United States.
“Collaborative international action like Operation RapTor is vital for keeping communities safe,” said a DEA spokesperson. “By dismantling these illegal platforms and holding those responsible to account, we’re taking critical steps to prevent future loss of life.”
Much of the success of Operation RapTor, officials noted, stemmed from intelligence gathered in prior dark web takedowns, including Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia, and Kingdom Markets. Evidence from those investigations helped authorities pinpoint key players and build cases against active networks.
The European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol played a central role in coordinating intelligence and facilitating communication between nations. “This is a clear reminder that illegal online activity leaves a trace, and those involved can be found—no matter where they operate from,” said an EC3 representative.
Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division also contributed to the operation, leveraging advanced tracking tools and cross-border partnerships to locate and apprehend cybercriminals.
Officials say Operation RapTor is part of a larger, sustained effort to disrupt digital criminal ecosystems and reduce the flow of deadly narcotics worldwide. With investigations still ongoing, authorities expect additional arrests and prosecutions in the coming months.
The message from global law enforcement is clear: the dark web’s veil of anonymity is fading—and those who profit from harm and exploitation will be found.
