- Europol demolishes the archetype market after five years of research
- A person was arrested and “measures” taken against others
- Millions were seized in different assets
A massive operation of international law has seen one of the oldest dark websites that was finally disconnected.
Europol said that a large -scale operation saw it dismantle the archetype market, described as a “drug market” that allowed, among other things, the sale of fentanyl, one of the most dangerous synthetic opioids that exist.
Archetyp Market operated for more than five years, numbering more than 600,000 users and accumulating a total transaction volume of more than $ 280 million. By the time he was dismantled, he had more than 17,000 listings, says Europol.
Academ the archetype market
The infrastructure was found in the Netherlands and subsequently dismantled.
A 30 -year -old German citizen was found in Barcelona, Spain, and arrested. “Measures” were taken against an alleged moderator, and six people described as “the highest suppliers in the market.”
The agency did not detail what these “measures were, but added that it seized $ 9 million in assets.
“With this demolition, the police have released one of the oldest drug markets on the web OSCK, cutting a large supply line for some of the most dangerous substances in the world,” said the executive deputy director of Operations of Europol, Jean-Philippe Lecouffe.
“By dismantling their infrastructure and detaining its key players, we are sending a clear message: there is no safe refuge for those who benefit from damage.”
Europol said the action was the result of “years of intensive research work”, during which the detectives mapped the technical architecture of the platform and identified the people behind it. They were following the path of money and analyzed digital forensic evidence, which allowed them to determine the key players and important locations.
The operation was carried out between June 11 and 13 in five European countries: Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden.
In addition to the National Police Forces and Europol, other agencies were also involved: Eurojust and the United States National Security investigations (HSI), IRS-Criminal investigation (IRS-CI) and the Department of Justice (USDOJ).
