2023-05-02 20:28:54
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An international police operation closed a dark web portal – the hidden part of the internet -, arrested 288 suspects and seized more than €50 million (R$ 275.9 million) in cash and virtual currencies, reported this Tuesday (2) to Europol.
Dubbed “SpecTor”, the joint operation was organized by the United States, United Kingdom and Brazil with European security authorities and managed to seize a ton of drugs and 117 firearms, reported the European police agency based in The Hague.
“In an operation coordinated by Europol and with the participation of nine countries, security forces seized the illegal market ‘Monopoly Market’ and arrested 288 suspected of involvement in the purchase or sale of drugs,” Europol said.European police ensure that “several of these suspects were considered valuable targets”.
The operation comes after the dismantling of the criminal infrastructure of the ‘Monopoly Market’ sales platform in 2021, carried out by the German police.
“Europol has compiled information based on the treasure trove of evidence handed over by the German authorities,” confirmed the European institution. “The data, created from cross-referencing and analyzing the collected data and evidence, served as the basis for hundreds of investigations across the country,” the agency added.
The operation led to the arrest of “288 sellers and buyers who participated in the sale of thousands of illicit goods in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Brazil”.
The highest number of arrests occurred in the United States, with 153, followed by Great Britain, 55, Germany, 52 and the Netherlands, 10.
In Brazil, the authorities managed, with the participation of the civil police of the Federal District and Piauí, to apprehend drugs and detain one person, according to the Brazilian press.
a ton of drugs
The police recovered € 50.8 million ($53.4 million) in cash and virtual currency and seized 850 kg of drugs, most of which consisted of amphetamines, Europol said.
Police also seized 43 kg of cocaine, 43 kg of MDMA and over 10 kg of LSD and ecstasy pills.
“Our coalition of law enforcement authorities across three continents proves that all outcomes are better when we work together,” said Europol Director Catherine De Bolle.
“The operation sends a strong message to dark web criminals: international law enforcement has the means and ability to identify and hold you accountable for your illegal activities,” she said.
Operation SpecTor follows the takedown last month of the world’s biggest online marketplaces selling stolen identities and passwords.
Led by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Dutch police, the operation called “Cookie Monster” led to the arrest of 119 suspects and involved 17 countries around the world.
“Cookie Monster” targeted the Genesis marketplace, where cybercriminals could buy stolen identities and passwords from over two million people.
The site was based in Russia, according to the US Treasury, which said it had imposed sanctions against Genesis Market.
A cookie is a piece of computer data that makes it easier to reopen web pages. Cookie Monster is a blue, furry character on the US children’s television series “Sesame Street”.
(with AFP)
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