A week-long international operation has brought down Archetyp, one of the most persistent and largest drug markets on the dark web. The coordinated law enforcement action led to the platform’s shutdown and the arrest of its creator and current operator—a German national living in Spain.

The platform hosted approximately 3,200 sellers and more than 600,000 users. It facilitated the trade of narcotics valued at an estimated €250 million. Among the substances sold were fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, making Archetyp one of the few dark web marketplaces that permitted such high-risk drug sales.

Archetyp had been active for over five years, amassing more than 17,000 listings. Its role in the trafficking of synthetic opioids placed it under the radar of several international crime-fighting agencies.

Investigations, coordinated by Eurojust and Europol, uncovered the identity of the platform’s operator, as well as key technical infrastructure, including the locations of servers and sellers. Through the analysis of financial trails and digital evidence, authorities were able to identify and locate those responsible.

The week-long crackdown involved coordinated actions across five countries. It culminated in the arrest of the 30-year-old platform administrator in Spain, along with seven additional individuals. Authorities also seized assets worth €7.8 million.

Europol supported the operation from its inception, conducting comprehensive cross-checks and facilitating information exchange. Eurojust ensured the investigation remained efficient and well-coordinated across national borders.