Police forces from six European countries have shut down Archetyp Market, the oldest and most dangerous drug marketplace on the dark web. This joint effort marks a big win against online drug trafficking. The site had been running for over five years and helped sell illegal drugs worth hundreds of millions of Euros.
On June 16, 2025, Europol announced that it had shut down Archetyp Market’s main infrastructure in the Netherlands through a series of raids, which also led to the arrest of the administrator in Spain, while top vendors were targeted in Sweden. The enforcement agency noted that the marketplace was relying on cryptocurrencies for trade, and mostly used privacy-focused token Monero (XMR) for its transactions.
The operation took place from June 11 to 13, with help from Europol and Eurojust personnel, who managed to seize assets worth EUR 7.8 million. About 300 officers joined forces in coordinated raids, focusing on arresting the top leaders behind the platform and shutting down its technical infrastructure.
How did Archetyp Market thrive?
According to a press release by Europol, Archetyp Market operated as a drug marketplace for over five years, amassing more than 600000 users worldwide with a total transaction volume of at least EUR 250 million. With more than 17,000 listings, it was one of the rare darknet markets that permitted the sale of fentanyl and other powerful synthetic opioids, adding to the increasing danger these drugs pose in Europe and around the world.
“By dismantling its infrastructure and arresting its key players, we are sending a clear message: there is no safe haven for those who profit from harm,” said Europol’s Deputy Executive Director of Operations Jean-Philippe Lecouffe.
The takedown comes after years of detailed investigation to understand how the platform worked and find the people running it. By tracking money movements, studying digital evidence, and teaming up with local partners, authorities were finally able to shut down one of the most active drug markets on the dark web.
