Operation TorNado nets 354 arrests and $234 million in global dark web drug crackdown

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Law enforcement agencies from 14 countries announced the results of Operation TorNado, a coordinated effort that led to 354 arrests of dark web drug vendors and buyers.

The operation, running from May 2025 through October 2026, seized approximately 5.7 metric tons of illicit drugs worldwide, including significant quantities of fentanyl, 209 firearms, 38 pill presses, and more than $234 million in cash and cryptocurrency. In the United States alone, 132 arrests were made along with 4.8 metric tons of drugs.

Europol coordinated the international effort, which followed takedowns of markets including Archetyp, Bohemia, Nemesis, Kingdom, and Tor2Door. FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia described it as confronting the trafficking of fentanyl through the dark web. Most arrests occurred in the US, UK, Hungary, and Germany.

Official statements from the Department of Justice and Europol confirm the arrest totals, seizure amounts, and participating countries. The figures match across primary releases and secondary reporting. Investigations into remaining anonymous accounts continue.

The operation highlights ongoing challenges in disrupting dark web markets, which adapt after previous takedowns. Officials emphasized that anonymity does not protect operators. Future phases of related investigations are expected to yield additional arrests as forensic work proceeds. Public discussion on X largely relayed the official numbers without strong lean.