An international law enforcement coalition executes a sweeping operation against darknet fentanyl networks, leading to hundreds of arrests and the seizure of over $200 million and two tons of illicit drugs.
At a Glance
- Operation RapTor led to 270 arrests of darknet vendors, buyers, and administrators across multiple countries
- Authorities seized more than $200 million in cash and cryptocurrency, alongside over two metric tons of illicit drugs
- The haul included 144 kg of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics and at least 180 firearms
- The operation spanned the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia, targeting darknet markets like Nemesis and Tor2Door
- Agencies involved included the FBI, Europol, DEA, IRS-CI, and others under the JCODE initiative
Operation RapTor: A Global Disruption
Operation RapTor, announced by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2025, marked the most extensive darknet drug enforcement effort to date. Coordinated by the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) initiative, the campaign spanned four continents and led to the arrest of 270 individuals. Investigators seized more than $200 million in assets, over two metric tons of drugs—including 144 kg of fentanyl—and 180 firearms.
Tackling the Trade Flow
Authorities targeted darknet markets such as Tor2Door and Nemesis and tracked down vendors using sophisticated digital footprints and cryptocurrency trails. A major bust in Los Angeles uncovered a “dark web business center,” where a vendor operated 10 accounts across 17 darknet platforms. The vendor’s apartment was filled with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and U.S. currency, illustrating how illicit online marketplaces mimic legitimate e-commerce models.
Collaborative Strategy and Public Safety
The takedown reflects the intensifying global strategy led by JCODE, launched in 2018, to combat opioid trafficking online. Participating agencies included the IRS Criminal Investigation division, Europol, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. These organizations utilized blockchain analysis, undercover operations, and parcel tracking to dismantle networks end-to-end.
Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug in the U.S., with just 1 kilogram capable of killing 500,000 people. The Department of Justice emphasized that seizures like RapTor are essential to breaking supply chains and saving lives.
Looking Ahead: Sustained Enforcement
RapTor builds on previous operations like 2023’s Operation SpecTor, which netted 288 arrests, $53 million in assets, and 64 kg of fentanyl. Authorities pledge to expand global intelligence-sharing, refine crypto-tracking capabilities, and increase the pace of joint takedowns.
While all indicted individuals remain innocent until proven guilty, RapTor sends an unmistakable signal: global darknet drug syndicates are no longer beyond reach, and international law enforcement is scaling up to meet the threat.
