International Operation TorNado Leads to 354 Arrests in Dark Web Crackdown

• •354 arrests made globally in Operation TorNado targeting dark web users.
• •Significant drug and cash seizures, including 4.8 tons of drugs in the U.S.
• •Operation highlights the resilience of dark web markets despite law enforcement actions.

An international police operation named TorNado has resulted in the arrest of 354 individuals linked to dark web activities. The operation, coordinated by Europol, took place from May 2025 to October 2026, targeting drug trafficking and illegal firearms sales. The majority of arrests occurred in the United States (132), the United Kingdom (59), and Hungary (45). Authorities seized nearly a ton of illicit drugs in Europe, including amphetamines and cocaine, and over 4.8 tons in the U.S., along with 152 firearms and €150 million in cash and cryptocurrencies. The operation aimed to dismantle key infrastructure supporting dark web markets, which continue to adapt despite law enforcement efforts. Christopher Raia, Deputy Director of the FBI, emphasized the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl trafficking through these platforms.