Reading time for the article: 3 minutes. Compact: The US Department of Justice and Europol reported an international investigation success. With “Operation DisrupTor” a blow was struck against darknet markets and dealers. But the success of the investigation seems to be less significant than originally communicated It’s a game of cat and mouse that will probably never end. Criminals set up trading venues in the so-called Darknet and the authorities carry out successful operations against this hustle and bustle every year. Operation DisrupTor was a supposedly big catch, because 179 arrests were made worldwide, including 42 in Germany. But also in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Sweden. In addition, the authorities seized a total of 6.5 million US dollars in cash and cryptocurrencies, along with around 500 kg of various drugs and banned substances and 63 small arms that could be seized, according to the US Department of Justice.
Police won’t follow up
That this is a sensitive blow to the infrastructure in the Darknet, however, is seriously up for debate. Because it cannot be assumed that this will result in a lasting result. On the contrary, because once one platform is closed, the next is already in the starting blocks. The same applies to the dealers who sell their illegal goods for sale. The incentive to conduct a lively online trade in secret is extremely high, because the demand for cannabis alone promises enormous sales. Operation DisrupTor is also intended to send a message to all those criminals who have not yet been discovered. They should not think they are safe on the Darknet, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice. But justified doubts are voiced elsewhere in relation to these notes.
Lengthy preliminary investigation
Although the result was presented along with a peppy name for the operation, it is not an overnight access. According to the company, the investigations were occupied for around 9 months, so in the end this should have been a drop in the ocean, as the amounts seized are rather small in relation to the investigation period. In addition, doubts were raised as to whether the authorities were particularly competent or whether it was not more due to negligent perpetrators who did theirs Addresses not encrypted accordingly Finally, it is also up to the discussion whether the authorities are not correcting their image here. Although there is trade in the darknet, it is negligible compared to all other international activities in the field of drug crime. Perhaps the interest of the authorities in a media-effective preparation is based on the fact that they at least want to give the impression that nobody can hide from the law.
