DOJ seizes $6.5M in cash and crypto through international anti-opioid trafficking operation
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the results of Operation DisrupTor on Tuesday, calling it one of the organization's most significant international efforts to fight opioid trafficking on the dark web.
According to the announcement, the law enforcement operation led to the seizure of over $6.5 million in cash and digital currencies and more than 170 arrests globally. 121 of these arrests were made in the United States and the rest were made throughout Europe. There are still several ongoing investigations to determine the identities of individuals managing some of the dark web accounts. The operation also enabled authorities to seize over 500 kilograms of drugs. In one branch of the investigation, the DOJ reported seizing "$1.6 million in cryptocurrency" among other assets.
The operation, which lasted nine months, was a collaboration between several organizations including the DOJ, the Joint Criminal Opiod and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) and Europol.
“With the spike in opioid-related overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that today’s announcement is important and timely,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI wants to assure the American public, and the world, that we are committed to identifying Darknet drug dealers and bringing them to justice."
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