Europol and US DOJ Dismantle $267 Million Darknet Market
A major international law enforcement operation has successfully taken down one of the most notorious darknet marketplaces.
The platform, known as Archetyp Market, was allegedly run by a German national and generated over $267 million in illegal drug sales.
Key Suspect Captured in Spain
Spanish police arrested a 30-year-old German man in Barcelona on June 11. Authorities believe he played a leading role in operating Archetyp Market, which facilitated trafficking in drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, and cannabis.
The arrest followed a coordinated investigation led by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Frankfurt Public Prosecutor’s Office, and law enforcement agencies from Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Romania.
Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, served as the platform’s exclusive payment method, further complicating the digital trail.
Massive Seizures Across Europe
Police seized about $8.3 million in assets, including mobile phones, computers, and storage devices during raids on properties in Spain, Germany, and Romania. The Dutch National Police also shut down Archetyp’s server infrastructure housed in a Dutch data center, disabling access globally.
In addition to the main suspect, officers carried out raids in Germany and Sweden, arresting seven more individuals. The searches covered 20 properties and recovered 47 smartphones, 45 computers, and large quantities of drugs and cash.
Extensive Digital Trail for Investigators
Archetyp Market reportedly hosted over 612,000 user accounts, 3,200 vendors, and 17,000 active listings. The significant trove of digital evidence collected is expected to uncover more suspects and deepen investigations into related darknet operations.
This takedown adds to a growing list of darknet busts, reinforcing global efforts to curb cybercrime and illicit online drug trafficking.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta joined the team in 2021 and quickly established himself with his thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication, and analytical thinking. He not only covers a wide range of current topics, but also writes excellent reviews, PR articles, and educational materials. His articles are also quoted by other news agencies.
