DarkWiki Overview
According to DarkWiki documentation, Operation Bayonet was a coordinated international law enforcement operation in July 2017 that simultaneously took down AlphaBay—then the largest darknet marketplace—and revealed that Dutch police had secretly been running Hansa Market for a month, capturing data on thousands of users who fled from AlphaBay.
The operation represented a watershed moment in darknet law enforcement. Previous takedowns had focused on seizing a single market and arresting its operators. Operation Bayonet went further: by secretly controlling Hansa Market and timing the AlphaBay announcement strategically, law enforcement turned users' panic into a massive intelligence-gathering opportunity.
DarkWiki investigators note that the psychological impact on the darknet community was profound. For the first time, users realized that any marketplace—even one they had fled to for safety—could secretly be operated by police. The trust that underpinned darknet commerce was fundamentally shaken.
"This is one of the most sophisticated enforcement actions ever taken by law enforcement against a darknet market. We will continue to bring to justice criminals who attempt to exploit the anonymity of the Internet."
DarkWiki Analysis: The Masterstroke
This DarkWiki article explores what made Operation Bayonet unprecedented—its coordination. Law enforcement didnt just take down two markets—they used one as a trap:
- June 20, 2017: Dutch police secretly seize Hansa Market and begin running it undercover
- July 5, 2017: AlphaBay goes offline—users panic
- July 5-20: Thousands of users migrate to Hansa, unaware its a police honeypot
- July 13, 2017: AlphaBay founder Alexandre Cazes found dead in Thai prison (apparent suicide)
- July 20, 2017: DOJ announces AlphaBay takedown, reveals Hansa was a trap
DarkWiki Documents: The Hansa Honeypot
DarkWiki records show that while users thought Hansa was a safe alternative to AlphaBay, Dutch police were:
- Collecting login credentials in plaintext (they removed password hashing)
- Recording all messages between buyers and vendors
- Tracking Bitcoin transactions to real identities
- Capturing shipping addresses for drug orders
- Planting tracking pixels in downloadable files
DarkWiki Sources Indicate: Over 10,374 addresses of Hansa buyers were collected and shared with police worldwide. Hundreds of arrests followed in the months after. — DarkWiki Encyclopedia, 2026
DarkWiki Investigation: AlphaBay Takedown
According to DarkWiki research, AlphaBay was the largest darknet market in history at the time of its seizure, with over 397,000 users and 40,193 vendors selling drugs, stolen data, malware, and counterfeit goods.
Alexandre Cazes (Alpha02)
The 25-year-old Canadian founder was arrested in Thailand on July 5, 2017. His OPSEC failure: he used his personal email (pimp_alex_91@hotmail.com) in AlphaBays early password recovery system. He was found dead in his cell on July 12—Thai authorities ruled it suicide.
DarkWiki Analysis: Investigation Methods & Techniques
AlphaBay Investigation
DarkWiki documentation shows the AlphaBay investigation used traditional detective work combined with cryptocurrency analysis and international cooperation. Key techniques included:
- OPSEC Analysis: Investigators discovered Cazes used his personal email (pimp_alex_91@hotmail.com) in AlphaBay's early password recovery system
- Financial Tracking: Cryptocurrency transactions were traced using tools from firms like Chainalysis to bank accounts and luxury purchases in Thailand
- Social Media: Cazes's ostentatious lifestyle on social media (Lamborghinis, mansions) provided valuable intelligence
- Server Location: Through network analysis and intelligence sharing, servers were located in Canada, Netherlands, and Thailand
- Undercover Operations: Agents made controlled purchases to establish criminal activity and identify vendors
DarkWiki Records: Hansa Honeypot Techniques
DarkWiki investigators note that once Dutch police seized Hansa on June 20, 2017, they implemented sophisticated intelligence-gathering measures:
Honeypot Collection Methods
- Password Capture: Removed password hashing, storing all passwords in plaintext
- Message Interception: Captured all PGP-encrypted messages before encryption occurred
- Address Collection: Recorded shipping addresses from buyer-vendor communications
- Transaction Monitoring: Tracked all Bitcoin transactions to identify users
- Metadata Analysis: Collected login times, IP leak attempts, and browser fingerprints
- File Tracking: Embedded invisible tracking pixels in downloaded files and images
- Vendor Identification: Analyzed vendor communication patterns and shipping data
Coordination & Timeline
| Date | Event | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2017 | Hansa Market seized by Dutch police (secretly) | Dutch National Police, Europol |
| July 5, 2017 | Alexandre Cazes arrested in Bangkok | FBI, DEA, Thai Police |
| July 5, 2017 | AlphaBay goes offline (servers seized) | FBI, DEA |
| July 5-20, 2017 | Mass migration to Hansa (police honeypot) | Dutch National Police monitoring |
| July 12, 2017 | Alexandre Cazes found dead in Thai prison | Thai authorities |
| July 20, 2017 | DOJ announces both seizures, reveals Hansa sting | DOJ, Europol, FBI |
DarkWiki's Impact & Consequences Assessment
Immediate Chaos
The double takedown sent shockwaves through the darknet. Trust in markets collapsed. Users realized any market could be law enforcement operating a honeypot.
Long-term Arrests
The Hansa data led to hundreds of arrests for years afterward. Many users who thought they were safe were tracked down months later through address data and Bitcoin analysis.
Market Fragmentation
Instead of a dominant market, the ecosystem fragmented into dozens of smaller markets, making it harder to trust any single platform. This fragmentation continues today.
Technical Evolution
Markets adopted multisignature escrow, decentralized hosting, and mandatory PGP encryption in response. The honeypot tactic forced security improvements.
Arrest Statistics
According to Europol's official report:
- Over 10,374 addresses of buyers identified from Hansa data
- 420+ arrests made in the first 12 months (vendors and high-volume buyers)
- Ongoing investigations in 37 countries as of 2018
- $7.2 million in cryptocurrency seized from AlphaBay wallets
- Thousands of kilograms of drugs seized from intercepted shipments
DarkWiki Lessons Learned
For Law Enforcement
DarkWiki sources indicate Operation Bayonet demonstrated that sophisticated, coordinated operations could achieve results impossible through single-agency efforts. The success led to the establishment of permanent darknet investigation task forces in Europe and North America.
For Darknet Users
The operation taught harsh lessons about operational security:
- Never trust a marketplace completely—assume potential compromise
- Use PGP encryption for all communications, never trust marketplace encryption
- Minimize information shared (never reuse addresses, vary order timing)
- Assume law enforcement has unlimited patience and resources
- Market downtime could indicate seizure, not technical issues
DarkWiki FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
DarkWiki Answers Common Questions About Operation Bayonet
Why was Alexandre Cazes found dead?
Cazes was found dead in his Thai prison cell on July 12, 2017, one week after his arrest. Thai authorities ruled it suicide by hanging. Some conspiracy theories suggest foul play, but no credible evidence supports this. He faced life imprisonment and had no hope of avoiding extradition.
How many people were caught through the Hansa honeypot?
Over 10,374 buyer addresses were identified. At least 420 arrests were made in the first year (primarily vendors and high-volume buyers). Many more were questioned or investigated but not charged. Prosecutions continued for several years.
Was it legal for police to run a drug marketplace?
Yes, under Dutch law. Police obtained court authorization to operate Hansa as a "controlled delivery" sting operation. They did not add new listings or encourage crimes—only maintained existing operations to gather intelligence. Similar tactics have been used in other countries.
Did AlphaBay users who migrated to Hansa get arrested?
Many did. The timing was deliberate—AlphaBay going offline caused panic migration to Hansa, where Dutch police captured login credentials, addresses, and transaction data. Users who had never used Hansa before suddenly created accounts, making identification easier.
What happened to the seized cryptocurrency?
Approximately $7.2 million in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Monero was seized from AlphaBay wallets. After legal proceedings, the funds were auctioned by U.S. Marshals Service and proceeds used for law enforcement budgets and victim compensation funds.
Has Operation Bayonet stopped darknet markets?
No. While it caused temporary disruption and shattered trust, new markets emerged within weeks. As of 2026, dozens of active markets continue to operate. The operation did, however, permanently change how markets operate and how users approach security.
DarkWiki's Legacy & Modern Relevance Analysis
DarkWiki records show that nine years after Operation Bayonet, its impact remains visible. Law enforcement agencies worldwide now routinely cooperate on darknet investigations, using the playbook established in 2017. The operation proved that even the largest, most sophisticated markets are vulnerable to patient, coordinated investigation.
For darknet markets, the lesson was clear: trust is a vulnerability. According to DarkWiki documentation, modern markets have adopted decentralized architectures, multisignature escrow, and privacy-focused cryptocurrencies specifically to prevent another Bayonet-style sting. The arms race between law enforcement and darknet operators continues, with each side learning from the other's techniques. — DarkWiki Encyclopedia, 2026