15 Januari 2026
A global enforcement operation has resulted in the seizure of as much as $200 million in cash and digital assets, and the arrests of 270 individuals in 10 countries. The U.S. Justice Department, which released the figures on Thursday, is calling the operation “RapTor” and describes it as a coordinated effort to take down the darknet drug trafficking networks that are fueling the fentanyl epidemic. It marks the largest seizure to date under the J-CODE initiatives.
In this operation, more than two tons of drugs, including 144 kilograms of fentanyl, 180 firearms and hundreds of millions in crypto assets were seized. The Ministry of Justice has issued a press release about this spectacular action.
The operation, led by the Justice Department’s Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE), worked with Europol and several international agencies. Targets included Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Since its founding in 2018, J-CODE has sought to take down the most powerful criminal networks that use the internet and modern technology to traffic opioids. “This historic international seizure of firearms, deadly drugs, and illicit funds will save lives,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “Criminals cannot hide behind computer screens or lurk on the dark web.”
The operation highlights growing concerns about how cryptocurrencies are being used to trade opioids and launder profits. For example, cartels have accumulated at least $5,5 million in stablecoins such as USDT transferred to Chinese fentanyl precursor suppliers. This has led to what blockchain analytics firms are describing as an “on-chain fentanyl economy.”
Research reveals that 97% of Chinese chemical suppliers surveyed crypto accepts, making stablecoins a critical component of global trafficking networks. The patterns on the blockchain clearly mirror the behavior of individuals previously indicted in Operation RapTor. Think of Iranian national Behrouz Parsarad, who was indicted in Ohio and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for his role in the Nemesis Marketplace, a darknet platform for selling opioids.
Recent convictions have been handed down for Rui-Siang Lin, the founder of Incognito Market, one of the largest narcotics marketplaces on the internet. He has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering, and selling mislabeled medication. And if that wasn’t enough, Telegram recently shut down Haowang Guarantee, a massive black market that was responsible for over $27 billion in illegal transactions within the cyber fraud world in Asia.
“It sounds like an episode of a thrilling action thriller, but this is the reality of our digital world,” you might say.
It is clear that the complexity and scale of crime using digital tools requires urgent action. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is increasingly important to raise awareness and take action against these forms of abuse. Let us use the lessons from this operation to create safer environments in both the digital and physical worlds.
What is Operation RapTor?
Operation RapTor is a global law enforcement operation aimed at dismantling darknet drug trafficking networks, with the largest result being the seizure of $200 million and the arrest of 270 people in 10 different countries.
How many drugs were seized during the operation?
More than two tons of drugs were seized, including 144 kilograms of fentanyl and 180 firearms.
What is the role of crypto in drug trafficking?
Cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used to trade opioids and launder profits, making stablecoins a crucial role in global smuggling networks.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Ethereum (ETH)
XRP (XRP)
