According to a recent trend, the dark marketplaces faced a decline in revenue. Chainanalysis, a blockchain analysis firm, conducted research that shows that the revenue decreased from $3.1 billion (2021) to $2 billion (2024). Like ransomware, criminals can buy software and inject your devices with viruses. With it, they can spy on people, steal their sensitive data, or secretly control their devices. These software are also capable of launching DDoS attacks and phishing campaigns.
Torzon Market
McDonald purchased bulk quantities of fentanyl and cocaine and then directed others to complete hundreds of drug sales involving large quantities of both fentanyl and cocaine. Saheed Aremu passionately advocates for digital privacy and cybersecurity in the modern digital age. As one of PrivacySavvy’s resident VPN experts, he guides readers on protecting their online information and anonymity. Saheed earned his degree in Technology and Ethics from the University of Lagos in Nigeria. Since then, he has dedicated his career to writing extensively about crucial infosec, data privacy, and cybersecurity topics.
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“A follow up search in Harolds Cross, Dublin 6 resulted in further small seizure of controlled drugs and documentation in relation to off shore bank accounts in Switzerland, Belize, Poland and a number of other countries,” said a Garda spokesman. A global investigation into the sale and supply of drugs on an encrypted layer of the internet known as the Darknet identified an Irish vendor in recent weeks. Others are looking for stolen data, hacking services, or even banned books and political content.
Why Is It Critical To Monitor Dark Web Marketplaces?
Gardai said the seizure was made as part of an operation targeting an organised crime group involved in the sale and supply of drugs. Two “military style” assault rifles and over €770,000 worth of drugs have been seized by gardai as part of a major crackdown on a Dublin crime gang. Operation Meacán focuses on electric motorbikes, e-scooters and e-bikes which are being used for criminal activity including drug distribution, money laundering, transporting firearms and drug related intimidation. There was a follow up search at a location in Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6. This recovered a smaller amount of drugs, as well as documentation relating to off shore bank accounts in Switzerland, Belize, Poland and a number of other countries.
It is used by many for buying or selling items that are prohibited on the regular internet, like fake IDs, illegal drugs, and stolen data. Gardaí have cracked an international online drugs trafficking operation involving criminals using sophisticated secret internet networks to buy and sell supplies. Two men have been arrested by gardaí after a significant quantity of cannabis was seized during an operation in Co Dublin targeting drug trafficking networks and related criminal activity. Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces—Archetyp—was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations.
Silk Road, AlphaBay, WallStreet and Monopoly Market are all familiar names in the digital graveyard of the dark web. Before these dark web marketplaces were shut down, they sold a range of illegal products, from drugs to firearms. The closure of Archetyp Market will likely trigger a temporary disruption in darknet drug supply chains, but it won’t end darknet drug trafficking altogether. Other markets will emerge to fill the gap, possibly adopting more sophisticated security measures to avoid detection. Law enforcement agencies worldwide will need to increase their use of AI-driven analytics and cross-border cooperation to stay ahead.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 50.8 million euros ($53.4 million) — in cash and virtual currencies, nearly 1,900 pounds of drugs and 117 firearms in a series of raids in several countries. Investigators received leads from local police departments investigating overdose deaths, including that of a 19-year-old man in Colorado who loved learning languages and building his own computers, according to FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. Sometimes, you might be hacked by using weak passwords or even just connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi on public networks. And in a world where almost everything we do is online, taking your digital privacy seriously is more important than ever.
How Much Is Stolen Data Sold For On Darknet Markets?
When he’s not empowering PrivacySavvy’s readers to take control of their online security, Saheed enjoys distance running, playing chess, and exploring the latest open-source software advancements. This explains how the market of the dark web marketplace is affected. As Telegram has end-to-end encryption and anonymous profiles, it makes it an ideal choice for threat actors and hackers to take advantage of.
- There’s also a premium account option for users who want extra benefits.
- Ulbricht faced several serious charges, including distributing illegal drugs, running a criminal enterprise, hacking, trafficking fake IDs, and money laundering.
- Silk Road 2 illegal website disabled by FBI, Europol and Department of Homeland Security.
- “But that doesn’t seem to have dented the ecosystem in a major way.”
- However, in June 2025, BidenCash’s relevant domains (around 145) were seized by the US Department of Justice.
Bitcoins, a digital currency used to pay for anonymous transactions over the internet, worth “between 1.5m and 2m euros”, were found on computers seized during the raid. Detective Alan Carbery, who works in the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), said organised crime gangs were also now routinely using cryptocurrency to launder money made selling drugs. Teenagers are now more commonly ordering illegal drugs online through the dark web, rather than buying them directly from a dealer in person, a Detective Garda investigating the criminal use of cryptocurrency has said. Founded in 2014, BriansClub remains one of the oldest and most infamous dark web markets for stolen credit cards, fullz (complete identity kits), and dumps. The darknet is a hidden layer of the internet that admits select users to heavily encrypted networks designed to assure anonymity and cover digital tracks. Investigators launched a follow-up search in Harold’s Cross, a suburban neighbourhood also in south Dublin, where they seized more drugs as well as records of offshore bank accounts in Switzerland, Belize, Poland and a number of other countries.
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Silk Road 2 illegal website disabled by FBI, Europol and Department of Homeland Security. Surveillance and enquiries carried out by the Garda National Drug Unit identified where it was believed an Irish vendor was based.
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It was touted as a major policing win and was accompanied by a slick cyberpunk-themed video. Despite growing crackdowns from law enforcement agencies, the dark web remains a hotbed of criminal activity, offering everything from drugs to stolen data. The cryptocurrency Monero (XMR) is particularly difficult to trace, unlike Bitcoin. Transactions are encrypted, anonymized, and hardly visible to investigative authorities.
Stick to cryptocurrency, avoid downloading anything, and don’t share any personal info. Telegram channels supplement traditional onion sites, blurring lines between the dark web sites and more mainstream communication tools. For those who are averse to confrontation, and who are sufficiently tech-savvy, the dark web offers an alternative to the risk and violence of dealing drugs offline. The largest number of arrests were made in the U.S., which is in the grips of an overdose crisis.
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However, in June 2025, BidenCash’s relevant domains (around 145) were seized by the US Department of Justice. Just as there are new entrants, the dark web has its veteran markets too, and Brian’s Club is one such market. It has been in operation for more than a decade since its debut in 2014. Brian’s Club is one of the best place to buy stolen credit card info, including CVVs, dumps, and even full account packages without revealing your identity. Although these marketplaces are continuously shut down by law enforcement agencies, they still work today. Interestingly, new sites get more hype, and it even becomes difficult to shut them down, as they have better security than the older ones.
Operation Deep Sentinel: International Cooperation
One of the things STYX is infamous for is having a rigorous verification process for users that makes it seem more exclusive. They even have a Telegram channel to provide their clients with live updates. Like most of the markets, STYX supports Bitcoin (BTC), Monero (XMR), and other crypto tokens to keep everyone’s identity hidden on this marketplace.
As a result of an international drug trafficking investigation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs on an encrypted layer of the internet known as the Darknet an Irish vendor was identified in recent weeks. Surveillance and enquiries carried out by the Garda National Drug Unit identified a secure premises on South Circular Road, Dublin 8 where it was believed this drug distribution operation was based. According to court documents and statements made in court, Srinivasan and Ta used the “redlightlabs” darknet account to advertise and sell counterfeit M30 oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
