Global law enforcement concludes Operation TorNado against dark web criminal networks

Law enforcement agencies from 14 countries have concluded a major international crackdown on illicit dark web activities, known as Operation TorNado. Coordinated by Europol, the operation spanned from May 2025 to October 2026 and resulted in the arrest of 354 individuals and the seizure of vast quantities of weapons, cash, and illegal narcotics worldwide.

The majority of arrests were concentrated in the United States (132), followed by Britain (59), Hungary (45), Germany (41), and France (23). During the operation, authorities in Europe confiscated nearly one ton of controlled substances, including amphetamines, ketamine, MDMA, cocaine, and cannabis. In the United States alone, law enforcement seized over 4.8 tons of drugs and 152 firearms. The operation involved hundreds of police interventions globally to dismantle organized crime networks operating within anonymous online spaces.

Europol noted that the operation underscores the ongoing resilience of dark web markets, which continue to evolve despite repeated law enforcement disruptions. While the operation has successfully led to hundreds of arrests and significant seizures, officials acknowledge that criminal syndicates remain adaptive, necessitating continued international cooperation to address the evolving digital landscape of illegal commerce.