Global Law Enforcement Operation Dismantles Major Dark Web Drug Marketplace, Archetyp

TL;DR

In a significant law enforcement operation, Europol and international partners dismantled Archetyp Market, a major dark web drug marketplace. The operation resulted in numerous arrests and the seizure of assets worth €7.8 million, dealing a major blow to online drug trafficking.

Main Content

Major Dark Web Drug Marketplace, Archetyp Market, Shut Down by Europol

In a coordinated global effort, Europol led an international law enforcement operation that successfully dismantled Archetyp Market, one of the most enduring dark web marketplaces. The platform was notorious for facilitating the anonymous trade of illicit drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, and synthetic opioids.

From June 11 to 13, approximately 300 officers across six countries executed a major crackdown targeting Archetyp Market. This operation focused on the marketplace’s infrastructure, administrators, vendors, and key players, resulting in significant arrests and asset seizures.

The law enforcement action took down the marketplace’s infrastructure in the Netherlands and led to the arrest of a 30-year-old German national, identified as the administrator, in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, German and Swedish authorities apprehended one moderator and six top vendors, seizing assets worth €7.8 million.

“Archetyp Market operated as a drug marketplace for over five years, amassing more than 600,000 users worldwide with a total transaction volume of at least EUR 250 million.” according to the press release published by Europol. “With over 17,000 listings, it is one of the few darknet markets that allowed the sale of fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids, contributing to the growing threat posed by these substances in Europe and beyond.”

The takedown followed years of meticulous investigation into the platform’s infrastructure and operators. Europol and Eurojust played crucial roles in coordinating efforts and sharing intelligence, leading to a significant disruption of one of the most active dark web drug markets.

Archetyp Market’s scale and notoriety placed it alongside defunct darknet markets like Dream Market and Silk Road, both known for facilitating online drug trafficking.

“With this takedown, law enforcement has taken out one of the dark web’s longest-running drug markets, cutting off a major supply line for some of the world’s most dangerous substances.” Europol’s Deputy Executive Director of Operations Jean-Philippe Lecouffe commented. “By dismantling its infrastructure and arresting its key players, we are sending a clear message: there is no safe haven for those who profit from harm.”

The homepage of the dark web marketplace now displays a seizure banner. Law enforcement also published a video to warn the cybercrime ecosystem and advertise the success of the operation, codenamed Deep Sentinel.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Archetyp Market)

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Conclusion

The takedown of Archetyp Market represents a significant victory for law enforcement in the ongoing battle against cybercrime and drug trafficking. By dismantling this major dark web marketplace, authorities have sent a strong message to those involved in illicit activities online. This operation underscores the importance of international cooperation and coordinated efforts in combating the dark web’s criminal ecosystem.