Europol Task Force Raids Tor Darknet Markets in 'Operation Onymous'

Europol, alongside law enforcement agencies from the US and a dozen European countries, took down more than a dozen darknet marketplaces in ‘Operation Onymous,’ Europol said in a press release.

The operation took down hidden marketplaces accessed via Tor, including drug-dealing marketplace Silk Road 2.0.

“This case is a landmark in the continuing battle against cybercrime; it marks the beginning, not the end, of the pursuit of those who abuse the Internet for illegal profit,` said Koen Hermans, Assistant to the National Member for the Netherlands. “Criminals can no longer hide from the authorities” as they “will be tracked down and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Seized marketplaces sold illegal items such as drugs, weapons and even contract killer services.

A total of 13 search warrants were issued during the operation, leading to the arrest of 17 vendors and admins.

The operation impacted 414 hidden markets who have been seized.

Besides hardware and digital media, the task force seized $1 million worth of Bitcoins, 180,000 Euros in cash, drugs, gold and silver.

Law enforcement agencies from participating in the operation included those from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the US.