Global police crackdown on dark web nets 350 arrests

THE HAGUE - Police have arrested 354 people and seized large quantities of drugs, guns, and cash in a major global crackdown on users of the “dark web”, Europol said on Nov 12.The EU police body coordinated a worldwide sting, codenamed “Operation TorNado”, between May 2025 and October 2026 that resulted in hundreds of raids across the globe.Most of the arrests came in Britain (59 arrests) and the United States (132 arrests).In Europe, authorities seized nearly one tonne of illicit drugs, including amphetamines, ketamine, MDMA, cocaine and cannabis.More than 4.8 tonnes of drugs were recovered in the US, along with 152 firearms and €150 million (S$200 million) in cash and cryptocurrency.“The operation highlighted the evolving resilience of dark web marketplaces, which continue to adapt despite takedowns,” Europol said in a statement.Police forces in 14 countries were involved in the operation, including Australia, France, Germany, Britain and the US. AFP