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

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.

According to the European Union police force Europol, more than 50.8 million euros ($55.7 million) in cash and virtual currencies, 850 kg of drugs and 117 firearms were seized.

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.