With a deep understanding of the complexities of the Dark Web, Harper curates informative and thought-provoking content for our readers. Her knowledge of the hidden corners of the internet and cybersecurity helps shed light on the often mysterious and illicit activities that take place in this realm.
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The U.S. Justice Department announced the success of Operation SpecTor, a major crackdown on fentanyl and opioid trafficking on the dark web by the J-CODE team. Law enforcement officials made over 280 arrests and seized $53.4 million in funds
As the agency noted, Operation SpecTor was conducted by the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement Team (J-CODE). Law enforcers were able to seize more than 100 illegal firearms, and more than 800 kg of drugs, including 54 kg of fentanyl and other illegal substances that contain it. In addition, security officers seized $53.4 million in cash and cryptocurrencies. A total of 288 arrests were made against drug traffickers and their buyers.
According to the agency, the SpecTor operation exceeded all previous JCODE operations in terms of seized drugs, illicit funds, and arrests of drug traffickers and their buyers. The Ministry of Justice regards this operation as an unprecedented success and even a record.
Link to the Monopoly Market darknet site
In addition to the U.S. Justice Department, Europol has also reported on the operation. European law enforcement agencies were able to trace drug traffickers thanks to the data obtained during the closure of the Monopoly Market darknet trading platform by the police.
Monopoly Market was a large online store that sold many illegal products in most countries. The site opened in 2019, but in 2021, German authorities were able to stop the illegal activity and shut down the criminal resource. However, the closure of the site was not reported until the success of the SpecTor operation. Law enforcers gained access to Monopoly Market servers, enabling them to track down the criminals who were conducting illegal activities on the platform.