Norwegian police announced on Wednesday that 28 men were arrested in an international operation targeting buyers of child pornography. The arrests occurred across seven countries, including Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany, according to Norway's National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos). The operation took place in early June, with the men aged between 22 and 54 using the cryptocurrency Monero to access dark web forums.
Key Details
Kripos stated that the operation was a coordinated effort involving law enforcement from six countries. Police prosecutor Terje Nedrebo Michelsen noted that the arrests were made possible by a method developed in 2025 to trace cryptocurrency transactions. Europol reported that one of the arrested individuals had used artificial intelligence to generate illegal material, and some victims were family members of another suspect.
Background
The operation resulted in the seizure of over 460 items, including electronic devices, crypto wallets, drugs, and large quantities of doping substances. Kripos indicated that further arrests are anticipated as many suspects remain at large.
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Limited direct market relevance; the development matters more for law enforcement and public safety than for traded assets. Watch for updates on potential additional arrests or developments in the ongoing investigation.