Europol-led sting nabs 288 dark web vendors, haul of drugs

PARIS — Law enforcement authorities in nine countries have shut down the illegal dark web marketplace "Monopoly Market" and arrested 288 suspects involved in buying or selling drugs via the portal, European Union police force Europol said on Tuesday.

More than €50.8 million ($55.7 million) in cash and virtual currencies, 850 kilograms (1,870 pounds) of drugs and 117 firearms were seized, a Europol statement said. The seized drugs included over 258 kg of amphetamines, 43 kg of cocaine, 43 kg of MDMA and over 10 kg of LSD and ecstasy pills.

The operation, codenamed SpecTor, comprised coordinated stings in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland. — Reuters