Justice Department officials confirmed Thursday that more than 350 people have been arrested internationally as part of a global dark web illicit drug crackdown dubbed Operation TorNado, including 132 arrests in the United States alone.

Operation TorNado was conducted alongside Europol and stretched across the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand. There were a total of 354 arrests globally, with the highest number of arrests occurring in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

The operation included actions against Dark Web vendors and buyers who were active on prominent Dark Web drug markets seized by law enforcement and included traffickers of drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, ketamine and amphetamines like MDMA.

“Nothing will stop the Trump Administration from identifying and dismantling drug trafficking networks,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “Thanks to our partnerships with state, federal, and international law enforcement through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team, Operation TorNado crippled Dark Web market vendors and will bring alleged drug traffickers to justice. 

"The Department of Justice will continue protecting the American people from lethal synthetic drugs and identifying bad actors around the globe who threaten American lives," he added.

The operation resulted in 132 arrests in the U.S., 59 arrests in the UK, 45 arrests in Hungary, 41 arrests in Germany and 23 in France. There were also arrests in Australia, Austria, Czechia, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Slovenia.

In Europe, officials seized a total of 950 kilograms of illicit drugs, including ketamine, cannabis and cocaine. The U.S. seized 4.8 metric tons (4,800 kilograms) of illicit drugs in its operations.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.