Global Dark-Web Drug Crackdown Nets 354 Arrests
Operation TorNado led to 354 arrests in 14 countries, including 132 in the United States. Authorities say they seized more than $234 million and about 5.7 metric tons of drugs.
The Justice Department and Europol announced Thursday that Operation TorNado, a coordinated crackdown on drug sales on the dark web, has led to 354 arrests worldwide.
The operation ran from May 2025 to October 2026 across 14 countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and several European nations. Officials said it targeted vendors and buyers active on major dark-web markets that law enforcement has shut down.
Of the arrests, 132 were in the United States. The United Kingdom had 59, Hungary 45, Germany 41 and France 23.
The Justice Department said authorities seized more than $234 million in cash and cryptocurrency, about 5.7 metric tons of drugs, 38 pill presses and 209 firearms. The drugs included fentanyl and other opioids, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
The department said its Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team helped carry out the action. It described TorNado as the sixth and largest international operation since that team was created in 2018. Some investigations remain ongoing.
The arrests cover a months-long international operation announced Thursday, not 354 arrests made in a single day.