Operation TorNado reports 354 arrests across 14 countries

Europol and law enforcement agencies in 14 countries reported 354 arrests in Operation TorNado, a crackdown targeting people suspected of selling or buying drugs through dark-web marketplaces and other online venues. Europol said the operation ran from May 2025 to October 2026.

The United States accounted for 132 arrests, followed by the United Kingdom with 59, Hungary with 45 and Germany with 41, according to authorities. France recorded 23 arrests. The operation also involved arrests in other countries, including New Zealand, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria, Ireland, Czechia and Australia. Finland recorded one arrest and 159 interrogations, Europol said.

Investigators targeted people linked to five marketplaces that had already been shut down: Archetyp, Bohemia, Nemesis, Kingdom and Tor2Door. Authorities also pursued vendors and buyers using forums, single-vendor shops and encrypted messaging services. Europol said national investigations were coordinated to reduce the risk of different agencies pursuing the same suspects.

Authorities reported large drug, firearm and financial seizures, but published totals differ. Europol- and U.S. authority-based accounts put seizures in...