Archetyp Market Taken Down in Multi-Country Operation

Overview

Authorities in Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Sweden executed a synchronized enforcement action (11–13 June) that dismantled Archetyp Market, an entrenched darknet marketplace used primarily for drug sales. The operation—coordinated with support from Europol and Eurojust—targeted the site’s administrator, moderators, high-volume vendors, and the technical infrastructure that kept the platform online.

What happened

Administrator arrested in Barcelona (Spain): A 30-year-old German national alleged to be the platform’s operator was taken into custody.
Infrastructure taken offline in the Netherlands: Core servers and related services were seized to interrupt market availability.
Actions against moderators and top vendors: Parallel measures in Germany and Sweden targeted key personnel and sellers.
Seized assets: Authorities report confiscations totaling €7.8 million.

Around 300 officers were deployed to carry out searches, arrests, and evidence preservation. The action forms part of a longer investigative campaign to map the market’s systems, follow money flows, and identify the people behind them.

Scale and risk profile

Investigators say Archetyp had been active for over five years, growing to 600,000+ user accounts, 3,000+ vendors, and at least €250 million in total transaction volume. With 17,000+ listings, the site was among the few major markets that permitted fentanyl and other powerful synthetic opioids, amplifying public-health risks within and beyond Europe.

Why this takedown matters

By removing infrastructure and arresting core operators, law enforcement has cut off a significant supply channel for high-risk substances. For the community, the immediate aftermath typically brings instability and opportunistic scams:

Phishing & fake “official” mirrors attempting to capture displaced traffic
Imposter vendor accounts claiming continuity from the seized market
Refund and account-recovery scams targeting prior users

OnionSpace tip: In the weeks following a major takedown, slow down and re-verify. Treat all “we’ve moved” announcements and link trees as hostile until independently validated.

How agencies coordinated

Europol facilitated cross-border intelligence sharing and operational planning (coordination meetings, data exchange).
Eurojust supported judicial cooperation, including mutual legal assistance and European Investigation Orders.
Investigators traced financial flows and analyzed digital forensics to link identities, infrastructure, and funds.

A seizure banner has been placed on the market’s former domain. Additional public information, including an awareness video for underground audiences, has been made available at: operation-deepsentinel.com.

Agencies involved (selection)

Germany: Prosecutor General’s Office Frankfurt am Main – Cyber Crime Centre (ZIT); Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
Netherlands: National Police (Politie)
Romania: National Police (Poliția Română)
Spain: National Police (Policía Nacional)
Sweden: Swedish Police Authority (Polismyndigheten)
United States (support): Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
EU bodies: Europol; Eurojust

The bottom line

Archetyp’s removal is a major disruption to a long-standing marketplace—especially one that allowed fentanyl sales. Expect short-term ecosystem turbulence and a spike in look-alike sites. Keep your Tor Browser up to date, favor high security settings, and follow OnionSpace’s link-verification steps before you navigate anywhere new.