A vast international operation has targeted the criminals of the Dark Web, a hidden part of the Internet.
In total, it has enabled the arrest of 179 suspected sellers across Europe and the United States, announced on Tuesday the European police agency Europol.
US law enforcement has arrested 121 people, while other suspects have been apprehended in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden, Europol said in a statement.
According to the Hague-based agency, the suspects were engaged in tens of thousands of sales of illicit products on the Dark Web, which is teeming with illegal activity.
The operation, in which various US government agencies including the FBI were involved, led to the seizure of more than $ 6.5 million (€ 5.5 million) in cash and virtual currencies.
500 kg of drugs and firearms seized
Police also seized some 500 kg of drugs, including fentanyl, oxycodone and heroin, as well as around 60 firearms, said Europol, which coordinated the operation with the unit. European Judicial Cooperation Eurojust.
The announcement "sends a strong message" to criminals active on the Dark Web, believes Edvardas Sileris, head of Europol's European Cybercrime Center.
“The hidden internet is no longer hidden and your anonymous activity is not anonymous.
Law enforcement is determined to hunt down criminals no matter where they operate - be it on the streets or behind a computer screen.
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