International Sting Operation Ends Reign of Archetyp Darknet Market
Jamie Redman
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An international law enforcement operation in June 2025 dismantled Archetyp, one of the dark web’s largest drug marketplaces, after a three-day crackdown spanning six countries.
Police Seize €7.8M in Assets in Archetyp Dark Web Bust
Archetyp, a darknet platform that reportedly facilitated more than €250 million ($289 million) in illicit drug sales, was taken offline during “Operation Deep Sentinel,” a coordinated effort involving authorities from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Romania, and the United States.
International Sting Operation Ends Reign of Archetyp Darknet Market
Supported by Europol and Eurojust, the operation ran from June 11 to June 13 and resulted in a total of eight arrests, including the site’s 30-year-old German administrator, who was apprehended in Barcelona. Launched in May 2020, Archetyp quickly grew into one of the most entrenched drug markets on the dark web, amassing over 600,000 registered users and more than 3,200 vendors.
The platform’s listings—estimated at 17,000—offered a range of illegal substances, including heroin, cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, cannabis, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which is rarely tolerated in similar markets due to its lethality. Investigators explained they used advanced financial tracing and digital forensic tools to pinpoint Archetyp’s infrastructure and identify its key operators.
The platform’s technical backbone was reportedly hosted in the Netherlands, where it was dismantled during the June raid. Europol deployed a dark web specialist to support German authorities on the ground, while Eurojust disclosed they facilitated legal coordination and cross-border warrants. The sweep led to the confiscation of €7.8 million in assets including crypto, 47 smartphones, 45 computers, luxury vehicles, and narcotics.
In addition to the site’s administrator, one moderator and six high-volume vendors were arrested in Germany and Sweden. Officials detailed they believe the operation delivered a significant blow to international darknet drug trafficking networks. However, experts caution that similar platforms often reemerge quickly under new names or adapt to enforcement tactics.
Operation Deep Sentinel follows several high-profile darknet takedowns in 2025, including Nemesis, Bohemia, and Kingdom Market, reflecting a sustained crackdown on illicit digital drug trade across Europe and beyond.
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