Law enforcement agencies across 14 countries have arrested 354 individuals in a coordinated crackdown on dark web drug trafficking, authorities announced on November 12, 2026. The operation, dubbed Operation TorNado, targeted vendors and buyers on dark web marketplaces, resulting in the seizure of 5.7 metric tons of illicit drugs, $234 million in cash and cryptocurrency, and 209 firearms.
Operation TorNado was led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Europol, with support from law enforcement agencies in Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union. The operation spanned 17 months, from May 2025 to October 2026, and focused on disrupting the sale of fentanyl and other opioids, which have contributed to a deadly overdose crisis in the United States.
Key Developments
- 354 arrests were made globally, including 132 in the United States, 59 in the United Kingdom, 45 in Hungary, 41 in Germany, and 23 in France.
- Montenegro participated but recorded no arrests, conducting only a "knock and talk" operation.
- Seizures included 4.8 metric tons of illicit drugs in the U.S., $40,565 in cash, and controlled substances such as carfentanil and fentanyl from a suspected trafficker in California.
Operation Details and Scope
The DOJ and Europol jointly announced the results of Operation TorNado, marking the sixth and most extensive internationally coordinated action since the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team was established in 2018. The operation targeted dark web marketplaces, including Archetyp, Bohemia, Nemesis, Kingdom, and Tor2Door, where vendors allegedly sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
U.S. Involvement and Seizures
In the United States, JCODE and the FBI led the effort, with 4.8 metric tons of illicit drugs seized. One notable case involved Jonatan Gonzales, 35, of South Bakersfield, California, known online as SpeedyPharma. Authorities seized 48 pounds of methamphetamine, 386 grams of black tar heroin, 588 grams of cocaine, $40,565 in cash, 2.8 grams of carfentanil, and 3.5 grams of fentanyl from his residence. Gonzales was alleged to have shipped illegal drugs to multiple addresses across the country.
International Collaboration
Law enforcement agencies in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe participated in the operation, with Hungary (45 arrests), Germany (41), and the UK (59) among the most active participants. New Zealand (13 arrests), the Netherlands (12), Slovenia (11), Austria (6), Ireland (5), the Czech Republic (4), Australia (2), and Finland (1) also contributed to the effort. Montenegro participated without making arrests, conducting a "knock and talk" operation instead.
Rationale and Public Safety Concerns
Authorities described Operation TorNado as a response to the "most urgent public safety threats of our time", particularly the distribution of fentanyl, which has driven a deadly U.S. overdose crisis. The FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia cited two suspected overdose deaths in Ohio that were traced to a dark web vendor operating out of North Carolina. Christopher Lin, unit chief of JCODE, emphasized that the operation targeted "the big fish" rather than just street-level dealers, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in combating dark web drug trafficking.
Ongoing Investigations
The DOJ stated that an undisclosed number of investigations remain underway to identify additional individuals behind dark web accounts. The operation underscored the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt illicit drug sales on the dark web and reduce the supply of dangerous substances contributing to the opioid crisis.